Ché Walker

Ché Walker’s writing includes Been So Long (Royal Court 1998), Flesh Wound (Royal Court, winner of both George Devine Award, Arts Council Writer of the Future Award 2003).

‘Crazy Love’- for Paines Plough Theatre was the winner of the Blanche Marvin Award in 2007. In 2008, Ché made theatrical history with ‘The Frontline’, the first contemporary-set new play to be performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. In 2009 His musical adaptation of ‘Been So Long’ premiered at the Young Vic.

The feature film adaptation of ‘Been So Long’ was produced by Greenacre Films, British Film Institute and Film 4, opening The London Film Festival in 2018, and broke all records for Netflix purchasing a UK film. ‘The 8th’ - in collaboration with UK rock musician Paul Heaton played Manchester International Festival, The Barbican, Latitude Festival and toured nationwide, featuring HBO legend Reg E Cathey.  ‘Lovesong’ in collaboration with UK Soul legend Omar MBE, was produced by English Touring Theatre in 2010. ‘The Lightning Child’ (2013) made history as the first musical at Shakespeare’s Globe. ‘Klook’s Last Stand’( later re-titled ‘The Ballad of Klook and Vinette) premiered at Park Theatre 2014 before playing at the NAMT fest in New York, Horizon Theatre Atlanta, Red Mountain Theatre Birmingham Alabama, Zach Theatre, Austin, Texas. It was the breakout performance for Ché’s former student Sheila Atim. ‘The Etienne Sisters’ played Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2015.  ‘Time Is Love’ played The Stella Adler Theatre Los Angeles and the Finborough Theatre, London in 2019.  ‘Wolf Cub’ played Hampstead Theatre in 2022. Nominated for Best Play, Director, Actor and Sound Design Off West End Awards.  ‘My Old Flame’ was directed by Academy Award Winner Asif Kapadia and screened on Channel 4 UK. Ché has written and directed four short films which have won two awards and twenty two film festival selections worldwide to date.

Ché’s feature documentary ‘Connie’ has been selected for Cork Indie Fest, Women of the Lens Fest 2022, Brighton Rocks fest, Seoul International Short Film Fest, Absurd Fest, Tokyo International Short Film Fest, WPRN Womens’ International Film Fest, and The London Directors Award . As director- forty five professional theatre credits both in US and London, most notably ‘been so long the musical’ at the Young Vic, and the world premieres of Arinze Kenes’ ‘Estate Walls’ and ‘Little Baby Jesus’, as well as Toby Wharton and Tash Fairbank ‘Fog’ UK tour ad a early iteration of former student Michaela Coels’ ‘Chewing Gum Dreams’. As actor- forty professional TV and film credits, fifteen professional theatre credits. Ché is associate teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), where he also sits on the audition panel. He has taught acting at LAMDA, Central, East15, Webber Douglas, Stella Adler, and Collage Voices.