Cast announced for world premiere of Zak Zarafshan’s The Boys are Kissing at Theatre503

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of The Boys are Kissing at Theatre503.

The debut play from Zak Zarafshan – an alumni of Theatre503’s celebrated 503Five – will run at the London venue from 17 January – 4 February 2023.

Directed by Artistic Director Lisa Spirling, the cast features Shane Convery, Philip Coreia, Amy McAllister, Seyan Sarvan, Kishore Walker and Eleanor Wyld.

Amira moved out of the city for a quiet life with wife Chloe, their 9 year old son, and one more on the way. But when Samir and his classmate Lucas share a kiss in the playground, the school mums’ WhatsApp group goes wild, party invites are rescinded, and Lucas’s seemingly liberal parents Matt and Sarah don’t know which way to turn.

Luckily, two cherubic winged guardians of the gays – summonsed to intervene in any queer disturbance – are on hand to drop in and cause a scene. The Boys are Kissing is a joyous and unexpected comedy that asks whether it really ever is ‘all about the children’.

Writer Zak Zarafshan said: “The idea for this play was sparked by anti-LGBT education protests, and the sense that as a society we increasingly seem to define ourselves in opposition to others. I wanted to explore the impact this has on family and community: How do we find compassion for people we disagree with if what they disagree with feels so personal to who we are?

“It was also really important to me to approach these themes in a way that felt subversive and full of humour. Theatre503 encourage new writers to be ambitious, brave and take risks. Working with them has been the most creatively fulfilling experience and I hope we’ve created a play that is first and foremost riotous fun.”

Lisa Spirling, director (and Artistic Director of Theatre503) added: “The Boys Are Kissing is the theatrical adventure that the world needs right now. Funny, irreverent and celebratory, it asks key questions about who we are, why we are the way we are, and explores all that we might aspire to be.

“Theatre503 strives to tell stories that haven’t been heard before being told in ways we haven’t seen on stage before and The Boys Are Kissing does this like no other. We’ve had the privilege to see Zak take this story from the earliest nugget of an idea though to a glorious full production and I’m buzzing to share it with audiences.”

For more information and tickets, visit theatre503.com