BIFA-nominated actor Lauryn Ajufo will play Tracey Gordon in Theatre503‘s revival of Michaela Coel’s landmark debut Chewing Gum Dreams, stepping into the role originally performed by Coel herself. Opening in September, the production launches a new Theatre503 strand that celebrates the power of debut plays and marks the theatre’s first partnership with tiata fahodzi.
Chinonyerem Odimba, CEO & Artistic Director of tiata fahodzi “This feels like an incredibly exciting partnership with Theatre503 not only because it uplifts an important play in the Black British canon, but also because it brings in sharp focus our shared belief that audiences are hungry for work that feels viscerally human and highlights the possibility of what new writing in theatre can achieve. We can’t wait to share the production, the talents, and Anthony’s vision of it.”
One of the UK’s most exciting young actors, Lauryn Ajufo was named a 2022 Screen International Star of Tomorrow and received a British Independent Film Award nomination for her performance in Boiling Point. Lauryn recently joined the cast for the second series of Dreaming While Black (BBC/Showtime), starred in the feature film Luther: Fallen Son and played series leads in Netflix’s Everything Now and Tell Me Everything. Her recent stage credits include the Royal Court’s critically acclaimed production of John Proctor is a Villain, as the character Nell.
Lauryn Ajufo, lead cast member in Chewing Gum Dreams: “I’m beyond excited to be part of the first UK revival of the renowned play, Chewing Gum Dreams; to step into the shoes of Michaela Coel is truly an honour. I’m looking forward to working with Anthony and the brilliant team at Theatre503 to bring this beautiful piece of theatre back to life. I can’t wait to watch the magic unfold!”
Acclaimed as the home of debut playwrights, Theatre503 is the UK’s only theatre dedicated to staging first plays. Through this new strand, it will revisit seminal debuts that reshaped contemporary British theatre. Chewing Gum Dreams announced Michaela Coel as a remarkable new writing talent and remains a vital work in the contemporary canon. The play was originally developed by The Yard Theatre in association with the Bush Theatre in 2012 before transferring to The Shed at the National Theatre in 2014.
Michaela Coel, writer of Chewing Gum Dreams: “Theatre503 was one of the early supporters of Chewing Gum Dreams and praised the show greatly during its first run in 2012. It is wonderful to see it have its first UK return there and I’m excited for its opening. Wishing their team the best of luck!”
This major new production is directed by Theatre503’s Artistic Director, Anthony Simpson-Pike. An award-winning director, dramaturg and writer, Anthony’s credits include Donbas for Theatre503, the Olivier-Award winning The P Word and Lava (nominated for Best Director at the Black British Theatre Awards) at the Bush Theatre, Drama Desk Award-winning Grenfell: in the Words of survivors at the National Theatre / St Anne’s Warehouse, New York, and An Octoroon at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin (nominated for Best Production at the Irish Times Theatre Awards).
Anthony Simpson-Pike, Co-CEO & Artistic Director of Theatre503 “We’re excited to announce that Lauryn Ajufo will be taking on the iconic role of Tracey, so memorably introduced to the world by the incredible Michaela Coel. This is the first UK production since the original and we couldn’t be prouder to make it at Theatre503, with such a special actor. Lauryn’s talent deserves to be seen by everyone. And clearly audiences are keen to see this new version too as today we’re also announcing an extension due to phenomenal demand.”
The production’s creative team includes Yimei Zhao as Set and Costume Designer (Porn Play, Royal Court), Christopher Nairne as Lighting Designer (The Real Ones, Bush Theatre), Xana as Sound Designer (Alterations, National Theatre), Heather Basten CDG as Casting Director (The Harder They Come, Stratford East), and Theophilus O. Bailey as Movement Director (For Black Boys…, West End). Full Biographies can be found here.
NEED TO KNOW: Chewing Gum Dreams plays at Theatre503 from 10 Sep to 10 Oct | See listing
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