Idris Elba is joining the team as associate producer for the UK production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh.
The production, which originally opened at MCC Theater to critical acclaim, has since had 60 productions across the US. The UK premiere, directed by Monique Touko (winner of the 2022 Stage Debut Award for Best Director), opens at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on 14 June, with previews from 8 June, and runs until 15 July.
Elba expressed his excitement in joining the production, stating: “I am excited to join the School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play family and help shine a light on Ghanaian stories in the UK. Jocelyn Bioh is changing the way West African stories are being told on our stages, and I’m proud to see this transfer to a London stage.
“Not only is it incredibly funny, its setting is relatable to the experiences of millions of teenagers all over the world. In the US, the play was extended several times, audiences couldn’t get enough of it. My hope is that new audiences will engage with the show and find their own connections with this unforgettable story and its endearing characters.”
Bioh added: “As a young girl, being first generation Ghanaian-American, it was nearly impossible to find any sort of representation of my culture in mainstream media. To be able to now say that I’m working with Idris Elba – a shining beacon of West African representation in the entertainment industry – is truly stunning. Words can’t even begin to describe what his support as a producer on “School Girls…” means to me. It is a possibility I never could have imagined. Together,we endeavor to make Ghana proud.”
The play is set in Ghana’s prestigious Aburi Girls Boarding School in 1986. The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre premiere is produced in association with Mark Gordon Pictures and Francesca Moody Productions.
The cast includes Heather Agyepong, Bola Akeju, Deborah Alli, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, and Jadesola Odunjo, with further casting to be announced.
The production features set design by Paul Wills, costume design by Kinnetia Isidore, wigs, hair and make-up design by Cynthia De La Rosa, lighting design by Matt Haskins, sound design by Tony Gayle, movement by Aline David, and casting by Julia Horan CDG.
Idris Elba, known for his roles in The Wire, Luther, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, can next be seen in the upcoming Apple series Hijack and is currently filming Heads of State with John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.