The National Theatre is currently staging 'Alterations' by Michael Abbensetts, a significant yet often overlooked black British playwright, signaling a potential revival of similar works from the 1970s and 1980s.

In updating the play, Cooke has addressed concerns regarding the portrayal of Jewish and female characters while still preserving the original male perspective reflective of the 1970s.

Linton hopes that the inclusion of black British works in theatre will become a permanent fixture in the canon rather than a fleeting trend.

Originally staged in 1978, 'Alterations' narrates the story of a Guyanese tailor striving to establish his business on Carnaby Street in London.

This revival is part of a broader movement to showcase significant black British plays in London, following recent productions such as Jeremy O. Harris's 'Slave Play' and Benedict Lombe's 'Shifters'.

The revival of Abbensetts's work is supported by the Black Plays Archive, which aims to preserve the history of black theatre in Britain and ensure that these important voices are not forgotten.

Director Lynette Linton and writer Trish Cooke highlight the importance of acknowledging the contributions of black British artists from previous decades to inspire today's youth.

Michael Abbensetts, who was born in British Guiana, found inspiration to write after witnessing John Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger' and is also known for works like 'The Museum Attendant' and 'Empire Road'.

Rufus Norris, the artistic director of the National Theatre, is credited with bringing 'Alterations' to the Lyttelton Theatre, one of the largest stages in the country.