new funding is a breakthrough

The work of Black-led Roots Mbili Theatre can expand and take a leap forward, thanks to new funding from the Theatre Breakthrough Fund. 

The Theatre Breakthrough Fund is a new, £2 million pot from Arts Council England, designed to support Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse theatre makers in the north of England.

It redistributes money previously given to the closed Eclipse Theatre Company.

We’re excited and thankful that the work of Roots Mbili Theatre has been seen, recognised, and that we are one of the first companies in the north to benefit.

Kubulaya, Away From Home, will go on tour thanks to the new funding

This new funding will be used in two ways. 

Firstly, for making theatre! We will now co-produce our latest show Kubulaya, Away From Home with Sheffield Theatres and take it on a national tour in autumn 2027. 

This production looks at sub-Saharan couples who move to the UK, then separate at a phenomenally high rate. 

It explores the issue through the lens of one family from Zambia settled in Sheffield, and puts the audience at the centre of a night that will change their lives forever.

Kubulaya, Away From Home, had an initial, sold-out sharing in January 2026.
It sheds light on an issue that is prevalent in the community, and provides a space to talk and share around it. 

Written by our own John Rwothomack, the show also includes original music and storytelling features inspired by Zambian traditions. 

The second way we will use this funding is to strengthen our connections with Sheffield communities and create fresh, exciting opportunities for artists to develop, collaborate and thrive.

We are proud to be based in Sheffield. In the future, we want more people to know about and engage with our work.
At the moment, we are still working out all the details of how we will bring people from the global majority, who are interested in theatre, together.

But this is integral to the work of both Roots Mbili Theatre and our partner, Roots Mbili Arts.
Everything we do champions the African diaspora through culture, creativity and the arts.

Watch this space for more details on new community and artist events.

Black-led storytelling and theatremaking have been chronically underfunded and undersupported - especially in the north.
This new funding will not solve all of these systemic challenges, but is a welcome first step in addressing some of the issues.