Lauryn Ajufo, the British actress who landed a British Independent Film Award nomination for “Boiling Point,” is set to step into the role that first launched Michaela Coel‘s career in an upcoming revival of Coel’s landmark semi-autobiographical one-woman debut play.
“Chewing Gum Dreams,” originally developed by Coel as her final-year show at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, was first performed publicly in 2012 at London’s The Yard Theatre before being transferred to The Shed at the National Theatre in 2014. It would eventually form the basis of Coel’s TV breakthrough “Chewing Gum.”
The revival at Theatre503 — a co-production with British African heritage theatre company tiata fahodzi — will see Ajufo play Tracey Gordon, 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.”
This new production is directed by Theatre503’s award-winning artistic director, Anthony Simpson-Pike, whose credits include the Olivier-Award winning “The P Word,” “Lava” (nominated for best director at the Black British Theatre Awards) and “Grenfell: in the Words of survivors” at the National Theatre / St Anne’s Warehouse, New York.
“I’m beyond excited to be part of the first U.K revival of the renowned play, ‘Chewing Gum Dreams,’” said Ajufo, also seen on screens in “Dreaming Whilst Black,” “Luther: Fallen Son,” and as a series lead in Netflix’s “Everything Now” and “Tell Me Everything.” “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!”
Added Coel: “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!”
The “Chewing Gum Dreams” revival’s creative team includes Yimei Zhao (“Porn Play”) as set and costume designer, Christopher Nairne (“The Real Ones”) as lighting designer, Xana (“Alterations”) as sound designer, Heather Basten CDG (“The Harder They Come”) as casting director and Theophilus O. Bailey (“For Black Boys…”) as movement director.
“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,” said Simpson-Pike. “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.”
Added Chinonyerem Odimba, CEO and 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.”
“Chewing Gum Dreams” will run at Theatre503 Sep. 10 – Oct. 3.