Jermyn Street Theatre has announced the cast that will take part in its 12-hour, one-day staging of Derek Walcott’s Omeros, which is set to be performed on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Walcott’s iconic poem – following the stories of local fishermen in St Lucia exploring memory, trauma and identity – will be performed by a company of 30 actors appearing in relay throughout the day.
“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.
Directed by Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud, the cast includes Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́, Selorm Adonu, Fisayo Akinade, Danny Bailey, Doreene Blackstock, Gabrielle Brooks, babirye buiklwa, Ashley Byam, Dona Croll, Ash Hunter, Terique Jarrett, Selina Jones, Paterson Joseph, Elander Moore, Tonderai Munyevu, Jessica Murrain, Cyril Nri, Ivan Oyik, Adjani Salmon, Cherrelle Skeete and Tienne Simon. More names are still to be announced.
In total, 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.
Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud said: “Omeros is an extraordinary work of literature, one of the greatest works to come from the Caribbean. It is an honour to bring this epic poem to the stage in an all-day theatrical marathon alongside 30 brilliant actors. 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. We have an unbelievable cast and could not be more excited to hear Walcott’s verse as it should be experienced – aloud.”
The performance unfolds in three parts:
Part 1: Welcome to St Lucia: The Helen of the West Indies (11am)
Part 2: An Odyssey around the World (3.20pm)
Part 3: Homecoming (7.30pm)
Tickets here.