SHIFT+SPACE | Altar by Mya Onwugbonu

The story follows BOY, a young black man burdened by the weight of his past and the impending loss of his mother. Through a non-linear, fragmented narrative, Altar weaves together moments from BOY’s past and present, revealing his complicated relationship with love. GIRL, an unexpected presence in his life, offers him a glimpse of something deeper—vulnerability, companionship, and love. But their story is not one of fairy-tale endings. Instead, it is a testament to how love and grief intertwine, how holding on can sometimes break you, and how letting go doesn’t always mean forgetting. The play is a meditation on how we process loss—through rituals, through stories, and through the love that lingers even after someone is gone.

Age guidance: This performance is recommended for ages 14+

Content warning: The production contains depictions of bereavement, emotional vulnerability, and moments of strong emotional intensity.

Interval: This performance does not have an interval.

Post show discussion: This performance will have a post show Q&A.

See our Accessibility Guide for information about access in our venue.

Mya Onwugbonu is a multi-disciplinary, multi-award-winning creative with published work as a writer and poet. She made her spoken word theatre debut with Hear Me Now, which sold out at Southwark Playhouse and VAULT Festival, winning ‘Show of the Week’ (2023) and earning her ‘Best Director’ at the Black British Theatre Awards. Mya has strong community networks, collaborating with Underexposed Arts, Black Cultural Archives, and Poetic Unity. Her acclaimed film and TV work includes Soldiers From Ends, commissions with BLKINK Productions, Sky Creative, and IMG, and her screenplay Hide and Seek, a Slick Film Fund Quarter Finalist. She is part of the 2025 Writers Rooms at Talawa Theatre, Hackney Empire, and Omnibus Theatre.

Instagram: @by.mya_

This performance is part of the SHIFT+SPACE programme

Theatre Deli’s SHIFT+SPACE programme is a free performance opportunity for artists to present their work that needs an audience to develop, where artists keep 100% of the Box Office!

Find out more about the SHIFT+SPACE programme here.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Theatre Deli, 107 Leadenhall Street, London, United Kingdom

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