Omeros at Jermyn Street Theatre: 30 Actors to Perform Derek Walcott's Epic Poem in 12-Hour Marathon

In one of the most ambitious theatrical events London has seen this year, Jermyn Street Theatre is staging a complete performance of Derek Walcott's Omeros as a 12-hour, one-day marathon. The Nobel Prize-winning poet's masterwork, widely regarded as one of the greatest literary achievements to emerge from the Caribbean, will be brought to life by a stellar company of 30 actors performing in relay across an entire Sunday.

The production, directed by Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud, takes place on 10 May 2025 and promises to be a unique, unrepeatable experience for audiences willing to commit to a full day of immersive storytelling.

What Is Omeros?

Published in 1990, Omeros is a book-length narrative poem by the Saint Lucian poet Derek Walcott, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. The work reimagines Homer's classical epics through the lives of fishermen on the island of St Lucia, weaving together themes of memory, trauma, colonialism, and identity. It is a sweeping, multi-layered text that traces connections between the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and North America, drawing parallels between ancient Greek mythology and the lived experiences of ordinary people in the post-colonial world.

The poem is revered for its richness and ambition, yet it is rarely performed in its entirety. This staging at Jermyn Street Theatre represents a rare opportunity to hear Walcott's verse spoken aloud, which the directors believe is the way it was always meant to be experienced.

A Remarkable Cast of 30 Actors

The full cast for this extraordinary event has now been confirmed, and it features an impressive roster of stage and screen talent. Among the 30 performers are Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́, Fisayo Akinade, Paterson Joseph, Doña Croll, Cyril Nri, Adjani Salmon, and Cherrelle Skeete, alongside Selorm Adonu, Danny Bailey, Doreene Blackstock, Gabrielle Brooks, babirye bukilwa, Ashley Byam, Michael Duke, Jim Findley, Valentine Hanson, Ash Hunter, Eloka Ivo, Solomon Israel, Terique Jarrett, Selina Jones, Gilbert Kyem Jnr, Elander Moore, Tonderai Munyevu, Jessica Murrain, Ivan Oyik, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Emeka Sesay, Fode Simbo, and Tienne Simon.

The actors will perform in relay throughout the day, each discovering the text live and in the moment. This approach gives the marathon a thrilling sense of spontaneity and immediacy that sets it apart from a conventional theatrical run.

Directors' Vision for the Production

Co-directors Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud have spoken passionately about the significance of bringing Omeros to the stage in this format. In a joint statement, they described the poem as "an extraordinary work of literature, one of the greatest works to come from the Caribbean," adding that it is "an honour to bring this epic poem to the stage in an all-day theatrical marathon alongside 30 brilliant actors."

They emphasised the live, discovery-driven nature of the performance: "These actors will be thrillingly discovering the text, live, for the first time. It'll be a real treat for audiences to watch this time-spanning, genre-bending saga come to life before their very eyes."

Their vision centres on honouring Walcott's language. "We have an unbelievable cast and could not be more excited to hear Walcott's verse as it should be experienced: aloud," the directors said.

How the Day Is Structured

The 12-hour performance is divided into three distinct parts, each corresponding to a major section of Walcott's poem. Audiences can attend individual sections or commit to the full day's journey.

The first part, titled "Welcome to St Lucia: The Helen of the West Indies," begins at 11am. This opening section introduces the world of the poem, its characters, and the island setting that forms the emotional heart of the narrative.

The second part, "An Odyssey around the World," picks up at 3:20pm and follows the poem's expansive middle section as it travels across continents and centuries, exploring the far-reaching consequences of history and displacement.

The final part, "Homecoming," starts at 7:30pm and brings the poem full circle, returning to St Lucia and resolving the interwoven narratives that have unfolded across the day.

Why This Production Matters

Marathon theatrical events have a distinguished history on the London stage, from the Royal Shakespeare Company's famous staging of Nicholas Nickleby to the National Theatre's acclaimed production of The Lehman Trilogy. What makes this Omeros staging particularly noteworthy is its focus on poetry rather than conventional drama, and its centring of Caribbean literature and voices within one of London's most respected fringe venues.

Jermyn Street Theatre, a small but mighty venue in the heart of London's West End, has built a reputation for bold programming that punches well above its weight. With just 70 seats, it offers an intimate setting that should prove ideal for the spoken word intensity of Walcott's verse. The closeness between performer and audience will create a shared experience quite unlike anything available in a larger auditorium.

The production also arrives at a moment of renewed interest in Walcott's legacy. Since his death in 2017, there has been growing recognition of his importance not just within Caribbean literature but within the wider English-language literary canon. Staging Omeros as a complete theatrical event is both a celebration and an act of cultural reclamation, asserting the poem's rightful place alongside the classical epics it reimagines.

Should You Book?

This is a one-off event, taking place only on Sunday 10 May 2025. If you have any interest in poetry, Caribbean culture, epic storytelling, or simply witnessing something genuinely unusual in London theatre, this is well worth your attention. The calibre of the cast alone, featuring names like Paterson Joseph and Fisayo Akinade, makes it an event of real significance.

Given the intimate size of Jermyn Street Theatre, tickets are likely to be extremely limited. Those interested should check the venue's website for availability as soon as possible. Whether you attend for one section or settle in for the full 12 hours, this promises to be a theatrical experience that stays with you long after the final lines are spoken.

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