Never Have I Ever cast also includes Alexandra Roach and Greg Wis

Cheaters actress Susan Wokoma is to star in the first play to be written by comedian Deborah Frances-White.

Described as a ‘explosive, savagely funny’ piece, Never Have I Ever will open at the Chichester Festival Theatre in September.

A spokesman for the West Sussex venue says that in the play the Guilty Feminist podcaster ‘brilliantly skewers the contradictions of contemporary society, and the shifting sands of power and sexual politics’.

It’s happening, Deborah has been working on her first play and it’s debuting this September, at the Minerva Theatre as part of the Chichester Festival Theatre season. It’s going to be explosive in every way and we can’t wait to have you in the audience! pic.twitter.com/Sbep1SggAu

— DeborahFrances-White (@DeborahFW) February 16, 2023

The synopsis reads: ‘Jacq and Kas’s boutique restaurant has gone bust, and telling their oldest friends Adaego and her rich husband Tobin that his investment is toast is only the start of the evening. Cash, class, identity and infidelity are all on the menu. As the last of the expensive wine flows, a dangerous drinking game reveals long-hidden truths and provokes an unspeakable dare.’

Also starring in the month-long run are Utopia’s Alexandra Roach and Sense and Sensibility star Greg Wise, who’s also the real-life husband of Emma Thompson.

Never Have I Ever is to be directed by Emma Butler, formerly resident director at the Almeida Theatre, and will run from September 1 to 30, with its press night on September 6.

It was announced today as part of the  Chichester Festival Theatre’s 2023 season. As previously revealed, the venue will also be hosting a revival of James Graham’s Quiz, inspired by the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? cheating scandal, with Rory Bremner playing Chris Tarrant.

Frances-White, above, previously wrote the 2018 British indie comedy film Say My Name, about a  one-night stand interrupted by a robbery. 

Wokoma’s comedy credits also include Chewing Gum, Year of the Rabbit and Crazyhead, while as a writer she has worked on  Romesh Ranganathan’s sitcom The Reluctant Landlord  and Netflix comedy Sex Education.

Published: 16 Feb 2023