Royal Court Theatre Reveals Cast for Highly-Anticipated Show ‘The Afronauts’ at an Exclusive Special Event
“As long as a man can dream, he can push the limits of what’s possible”
The Afronauts | 14 Nov-19 Dec | Royal Court Theatre | From £15
The Royal Court marks the finale of the Royal Court Theatre’s 70th anniversary with the World Premiere of The Afronauts, a Zambian space race epic by award-winning writer Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys…, Retrograde) who will co-direct with Monique Touko (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Marie and Rosetta). The cast was first revealed last night at a special event hosted by the Royal Court in collaboration with The Rendition.
The evening was co-hosted by the founder of the Rendition Shoré Yewande and Zainab Kwaw-Swanzy. They welcomed co-directors Touko and Calais Cameron to the stage to invite us into the world of their research journey, showcasing a short film of their research trip to Zambia and discussing what excited, inspired and challenged them. The audience were audibly moved by the question posed by Cameron, “What is the cost of dreaming?”
The international cast were then announced; bringing together Black British and Black African talent it will be led by television, film and stage star Lucian Msamati (Game of Thrones, Slow Horses, Conclave, Waiting for Godot) as Edward, and Ama Qamata, seen in leading roles in the Netflix series Blood & Water and the multi-award-winning indie hit Fight Like a Girl, who will be making her UK stage debut as Matha.
The company is completed by Ivanno Jeremiah, who reunites with Ryan Calais Cameron following his critically acclaimed performance as Sidney Poitier in Retrograde and will play Simon, Chomba S. Taulo (The Book of Mormon) as Ben, Munashe Chirisa (The Play That Goes Wrong) as Cheelo, Pamela Nomvete (Skeleton Crew) as Grace, Lukwesa Mwamba (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Liji, and Prince Kundai (Limp Wrist and the Iron Fist) as David.
The creative team includes Set Designer Soutra Gilmour, Costume Designer Kinnetia Isidore, Lighting Designer Ryan Day, Composer and Sound Designer Khalil Madovi, Video Designer DickStraker, Movement Director Kloé Dean, Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer Cynthia De La Rosa,Casting Director Heather Basten CDG CSA, Dramaturg Gillian Greer, Cultural Dramaturg Mwansa Phiri and Assistant Director Danielle Kassaraté.
