British actress Lauryn Ajufo will take on the role that launched Michaela Coel's career, stepping into the lead of Chewing Gum Dreams in its first UK revival since the original production. The show will run at Theatre503 in London, in a co-production with British African heritage theatre company tiata fahodzi.
According to Variety, Coel originally developed the semi-autobiographical one-woman play as her final-year show at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was first performed publicly in 2012 at London's The Yard Theatre before transferring to The Shed at the National Theatre in 2014. The play later served as the foundation for Coel's television breakthrough series, also called Chewing Gum.
Ajufo will play Tracey Gordon, described in production materials as a restricted, religious virgin who wants to have sex and learn more about the world. The play is described as a "fierce, funny, and big- hearted journey through first love, last days of school and the moments that shape who we become."
Ajufo received a British Independent Film Award nomination for her work in Boiling Point and has appeared in Dreaming Whilst Black, Luther: Fallen Son, and as a series lead in Netflix's Everything Now and Tell Me Everything.
"I'm beyond excited to be part of the first U.K revival of the renowned play, 'Chewing Gum Dreams,'" Ajufo said. "To step into the shoes of Michaela Coel is truly an honor. 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!"
Coel also weighed in on the revival. "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 U.K. return there and I'm excited for its opening. Wishing their team the best of luck!" she said.
The production is directed by Theatre503's artistic director Anthony Simpson-Pike, whose previous credits include the Olivier Award-winning The P Word, Lava, and Grenfell: in the Words of Survivors at the National Theatre. The creative team also includes set and costume designer Yimei Zhao, lighting designer Christopher Nairne, sound designer Xana, casting director Heather Basten CDG, and movement director Theophilus O. Bailey.
Simpson-Pike noted that the production had already been extended before opening. "This is the first U.K. 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," he said.
