Natasha Gordon facts for kids

Natasha Gordon (born in 1976) is a British playwright and actor. A playwright writes plays for the theatre. She has Jamaican family roots.

In 2018, Natasha wrote her first play, called Nine Night. It was a huge success! She made history with this play. It was shown in the West End of London. This is a very famous theatre area. She was the first black British woman to have her play shown there.

Her Life and Work

Natasha Gordon was born in North London in 1976. Her parents came from Jamaica. Her grandparents also moved to London from Jamaica. They arrived by boat in the late 1950s. They were part of the "Windrush generation". This name comes from a ship called the Windrush. Many people from Caribbean countries came to the UK on this ship. They came to help rebuild Britain after World War II.

Natasha's mother joined her parents in 1963. She found work and a strong West Indian community.

Nine Night Play

Natasha's first play, Nine Night, opened in April 2018. It was at London's National Theatre. Everyone loved it! Later, it moved to the Trafalgar Studios in London. This was a very special moment. It made Natasha the first black British female playwright to have a play in the West End.

Natasha shared how she got the idea for her play. She said the ""nine night" ritual" helped her. This is a tradition where families gather. They eat, drink, and share stories after someone passes away. It helped her connect with her family's past.

She also learned about the challenges faced by the Windrush generation. Many of them faced threats of being sent away. This made her want to explore her grandparents' stories even more.

The play was so successful that Natasha won an award. She received the Evening Standard Theatre Award. It was for the Most Promising Playwright in 2018.

Acting Career

Before writing plays, Natasha was an actor. She performed in many plays. Some of her stage roles include Red Velvet and As You Like It. She also acted in TV shows and movies. You might have seen her in Line of Duty or Class.

In 2019, The Guardian newspaper listed Nine Night as one of the best theatre shows since 2000. In 2020, Natasha received a special honor. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award is given for great achievements. She received it for her services to drama.

Awards