Ryan Calais Cameron's world premiere closes the theatre's 70th anniversary season, with Ama Qamata making her UK stage debut.
The Afronauts, a new play by Ryan Calais Cameron about Zambia’s attempt to join the space race, will have its world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square from 14 November to 19 December 2026.
The Royal Court and Nica Burns have now named the full cast and creative team. Cameron co-directs with Monique Touko, and the production is the last show in the Royal Court’s 70th anniversary season in its Downstairs theatre.
The play is set in Zambia in 1964. While the major powers race for the moon, a schoolteacher recruits a band of misfit dreamers and prepares them for launch. The producers bill it as a loosely true account of the country’s space programme. Cameron describes it as “a love letter to the dreamers history forgot”.
Lucian Msamati plays Edward, and Ama Qamata makes her UK stage debut as Matha. Ivanno Jeremiah, who played Sidney Poitier in Cameron’s Retrograde, plays Simon. Pamela Nomvete takes the role of Grace and Prince Kundai plays David. Chomba S. Taulo, Munashe Chirisa and Lukwesa Mwamba complete the company as Ben, Cheelo and Liji respectively.
Soutra Gilmour designs the set, with costumes by Kinnetia Isidore. Ryan Day lights the show and Khalil Madovi composes the music and designs the sound. Dick Straker is behind the video, with movement direction from Kloé Dean.
Performances are in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS. Tickets and full details are on the Royal Court website.
From Saturday 14 November to Saturday 19 December 2026, in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs.
Lucian Msamati and Ama Qamata lead the cast, with Ivanno Jeremiah, Pamela Nomvete, Prince Kundai, Chomba S. Taulo, Munashe Chirisa and Lukwesa Mwamba.
It is set in Zambia in 1964, where a schoolteacher trains a group of misfit dreamers for a Zambian space programme.
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