“The Afronauts”: Lucian Msamati leads the world premiere of the drama about Zambia’s “space race” at the Royal Court

London’s Royal Court Theatre and producer Nica Burns have revealed the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of “The Afronauts”, the epic play by acclaimed writer Ryan Calais Cameron (known for “For Black Boys…” and “Retrograde”), who will co-direct it with Monique Touko (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”, “Marie and Rosetta”). The show, as BroadwayWorld reports, will close the 70th anniversary season of the Royal Court’s Downstairs stage, playing from Saturday, 14 November, to Saturday, 19 December 2026, with a press night on 23 November. The cast was revealed at a launch party hosted by the Royal Court in collaboration with The Rendition.

The international cast brings together British and African talent: television, film and theatre star Lucian Msamati (“Game of Thrones”, “Slow Horses”, “Conclave”, “Waiting for Godot”) will play Edward; Ama Qamata, known for her leading roles in the Netflix series “Blood & Water” and the film “Fight Like a Girl”, will make her British stage debut as Matha. The company is completed by Ivanno Jeremiah, who reunites with Cameron after his acclaimed performance as Sidney Poitier in “Retrograde” (as 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 (“Bootycandy”) as David.

Set in Zambia in 1964, “The Afronauts” tells the (almost) true story of Zambia’s space programme: while the world’s great powers aim for the moon, a schoolteacher gathers a group of rebellious dreamers and trains them for flight. The play brings to the stage a young nation’s bold dream of reaching the stars at the height of the Space Race.

“‘The Afronauts’ is a love letter to the dreamers history forgot,” says writer and co-director Ryan Calais Cameron. “It is about what happens when imagination becomes a form of resistance, and how the struggle for freedom is not only political — it is cosmic. At its heart, this play asks: what does liberation look like when the whole universe is watching you?” Co-director Monique Touko describes the show as “a moment for culture — a reflection of the past, highlighting the strength of the shoulders we stand on”, adding that closing the Royal Court’s 70th season with this story is “a great honour”.

The creative team includes set designer Soutra Gilmour, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting by Ryan Day, composer and sound designer Khalil Madovi, video designer Dick Straker, movement director Kloé Dean, hair and make-up designer Cynthia De La Rosa, and casting director Heather Basten; the dramaturgs are Gillian Greer and Mwansa Phiri, while the assistant director is Danielle Kassaraté.