OVERVIEW
PEOPLE
MEDIA

All Day Sunday

OMEROS

BY DEREK WALCOTT

DIRECTED BY KWAME OWUSU AND EMILY ABOUD.

10 May 2026

Overview

In the place you have come from, what do they call you?

Derek Walcott observes Achille, Philoctete and Hector. Three Caribbean fishermen in modern-day Saint Lucia who cross paths with soldiers and lovers, soothsayers and shopkeepers as they pursue their destinies. Soon, Walcott dives into the mysteries of these islanders, in a globe-spanning, time-jumping exploration of identity, love, loss, and history.

 

This event is generously supported by The Old Possum’s Practical Trust

Join us for our latest epic journey – we began with The Odyssey and The Mahabharata before charging on with Ulysses and Beowulf. Now, Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott’s groundbreaking poem, Omeros, comes to life for a truly unforgettable day. Carne Deputy Director Kwame Owusu (Mustapha Matura Award Winner) and Emily Aboud (Evening Standard Future Theatre Award Winner) direct an exceptional cast. The 30 actors will pass the baton to each other in a thrilling relay over the course of the day, with new actors performing every 30 minutes.

 

PART 1: 11.00am: Welcome to St Lucia: The Helen of the West Indies
We meet the inhabitants of Gros Îlet, a small fishing village in St. Lucia. Achille and Hector vie for Helen’s affection, trying to succeed on an ever-changing island as tourism replaces the economy. Philoctete seeks a cure for his pain. Major Plunkett and Maud Plunkett remember their past and confront their present.   Running time: Three hours & 10 minutes (incl INTERVAL 12.30-12.45pm).
LUNCH: 2.15pm -3.15pm
PART 2: 3.20pm: An Odyssey around the World
The characters embark on quests through space and time. Achille journeys to Congo, in the midst by the slave trade. Helen grieves his disappearance. Derek Walcott confronts the tragedy and continued effects of colonialism in a journey around the world, exploring ancient and recent histories. Running time:  Three hours (incl INTERVAL 4.50pm-5.05pm).
DINNER: 6.25pm - 7.25pm
PART 3: 7.30pm: Homecoming
Walcott returns to St. Lucia. He finds the characters he discovered in Part 1, as they reach the conclusions of their quests. In this final Part, we go on a final rollercoaster through the island, the sea, and even the underworld, in an epic exploration of mortality, love, joy and his own Caribbean identity as an observer and artist. Running time Two hours & 45 minutes (incl INTERVAL 8.50pm – 9.05pm).

Copyright © 1990 by Derek Walcott. Used by permission of Farrar, Straus and Giroux. All Rights Reserved.

People

Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́
Performer
Ronkẹ has performed at the Young Vic, Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and more, earning high praise for her standout stage and screen performances.
Selorm Adonu
Performer
Selorm is a Brit School graduate. Credits include G (Royal Court), Please Do Not Touch (Birmingham Hippodrome), Curfew (Paramount) and the new Sky Series Prisoner.
Fisayo Akinade
Performer
Fisayo has extensive credits across Film, TV and Theatre. He can be seen in Kate Winslet’s Goodbye June and will next be at the RSC in As You Like It
Danny Bailey
Performer
Danny’s theatre credits include The Harder They Come (Stratford East), Girl from the North Country, Get Up, Stand Up! (West End); The Big Life (Stratford East); A Strange Loop, Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican). His TV credits include: Mr Loverman (BBC).
Doreene Blackstock
Performer
Doreene is best known for her portrayal of Eric's mother, Beatrice Effiong in Netflix's Sex Education. Her recent television work includes Call the Midwife and Mr Loverman for the BBC.
Gabrielle Brooks
Performer
Gabrielle is currently working on her debut short film, Split Ends, which she is writing and producing. Gabrielle is an Olivier-nominated performer, who has worked across television and stage. Highlights include Get Up Stand Up, J'ouvert and series 1 of Shadow And Bone for Netflix.
babirye bukilwa
Performer
babirye has worked widely across theatre, television, and film, including the National Theatre, BBC, Royal Court Theatre, and is currently starring in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
Ashley Byam
Performer
Ashley is an award-winning stage and screen actor. His credits include the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, BBC, Netflix and Disney+. He recently toured with Dear England.
Doña Croll
Performer
Doña has worked extensively in theatre, film and television, including the West End, ITV and BBC. She recently appeared in Playhouse Creatures at the Orange Tree.
Michael Duke
Performer
Michael Duke has recently performed in The Capture (BBC), Dope Girls (BBC), and Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (Lyric Theatre, West End).
Jim Findley
Performer
Jim Findley has recently performed in The Rivals (Orange Tree Theatre), Girl on an Altar (Kiln Theatre / Abbey Theatre) and Mr Bigstuff (Sky).
Valentine Hanson
Performer
Valentine Hanson has recently performed in Measure for Measure (RSC), The Seagull (Wessex Grove/Barbican) and The Lehman Trilogy (National Theatre).
Ash Hunter
Performer
Ash recently starred in the Grenfell Project (National Theatre, St Ann’s Warehouse), and played the lead role in Macbeth (Leeds Playhouse) and Hamilton (West End).
Solomon Israel
Performer
Solomon Israel has recently performed in Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Lonely Londoners (Kiln Theatre), and A Raisin in the Sun (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre).
Eloka Ivo
Performer
Eloka’s theatre credits include Backstairs Billy (Duke of York Theatre), Edward II (RSC) and Black Superhero (Royal Court Theatre). Recent screen credits include The Capture (BBC) and Curse in a Frame (New State Pictures).
Terique Jarrett
Performer
Terique is currently in Choir Boy at Theatre Royal Stratford East. He has worked across theatre, television and film with Almeida Theatre, Disney, Hulu and Film4. He recently appeared in Juniper Blood at the Donmar Warehouse.
Selina Jones
Performer
Selina stars as Azure in Chadwick Boseman’s Deep Azure at The Globe. Appears in Netflix's Kaos, DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon & HBO Max's Raised by Wolves.
Paterson Joseph
Performer
Paterson trained at LAMDA. He’s worked extensively on screen, television and in the theatre. He is currently filming Tomb Raider for Amazon alongside Sophie Turner, and has recently wrapped on the feature film The Roots Manoeuvre starring opposite Toni Collete and Jessica Henwick. He played the iconic role of Arthur Slugworth in Wonka alongside Timothée Chalamet and starred in the TV series Boat Story and Vigil (BBC).
Gilbert Kyem Jnr
Performer
Gilbert is soon to appear in Series 2 of hit Disney+ series Rivals. Recent theatre credits include: Mary Page Marlowe (Old Vic), and The Lonely Londoners (Jermyn Street Theatre/Kiln Theatre).
Elander Moore
Performer
Elander most recently starred in the Olivier nominated Miss Myrtle’s Garden at The Bush Theatre. He also appeared in the BBC’s epic King & Conqueror.
Tonderai Munyevu
Performer
Tonderai is an experienced stage actor and theatre-maker, best known for writing and performing the award-winning autobiographical play Mugabe, My Dad & Me which opened Brixton House Theatre
Jessica Murrain
Performer
Jessica Murrain is an actor, published poet and an award winning filmmaker. Acting credits include As You Like It and Macbeth (Shakespeare's Globe) and Mr Loverman (BBC).
Cyril Nri
Performer
Cyril is a BAFTA-nominated British stage and screen actor. He is best known for playing Superintendent Adam Okaro in the police TV series The Bill. Cyril plays the role of Lord Danbury in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Ivan Oyik
Performer
Ivan recently performed at Jermyn Street Theatre in Little Brother, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s adaptation of Ibrahima Balde and Amets Arzallus Antia‘s award-winning memoir. He trained at Guildford School of Acting and was nominated for The Stage Debut Award for Blue/Orange. He has performed at the Bush Theatre, the Young Vic, Trafalgar Studios. His screen work includes Ludwig, Doctors and Shook.
Simon-Anthony Rhoden
Performer
Simon-Anthony is a LAMDA trained actor. Leading theatre roles include 'Hamilton' and 'The Hot Wing King' at the NT. Recent screen work includes 'Gone' (ITV).
Adjani Salmon
Perforner
Adjani is a BAFTA-winning writer, director, and actor, best known for creating and starring in two series of his hit BBC/A24 show Dreaming Whilst Black.
Emeka Sesay
Performer
Emeka Sesay has recently performed in Red Pitch (Bush Theatre/Soho Place), Book of Clarence (Legendary Films) and Pretty Red Dress (BBC Film).
Fode Simbo
Performer
Fode was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Black British Theatre Awards in 2023. His theatre credits include The Estate (National Theatre) and An Unfinished Man (Yard Theatre). His TV credits include Netflix, BBC and Apple TV
Tienne Simon
Performer
Tienne has worked across film, TV and theatre in productions including All The Devils are Here, Primate, Grime Kids and Dreaming And Drowning.
Cherrelle Skeete
Performer
Cherrelle Skeete is a co-founder of Blacktress UK, as well as an actress, writer, and cultural producer. She has built an extensive career across stage and screen, with credits including multiple performances at the National Theatre, The Old Vic, Hampstead Theatre, and major streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+

Derek Walcott
Writer
Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud
Director

Media

“He did as much or more than anyone to win the global respect for Caribbean writing that it deserves and now enjoys”
former poet laureate Andrew Motion on Derek Walcott

 
“A mighty poet”
The New Yorker on Derek Walcott

 
“A great epic writer of the world, who turned his local place into the scene of classical epic rewritten”
critic and biographer Hermione Lee on Derek Walcott