Hannah Akhalu, Tara Tijani and Sewa Zamba will star in Girls, the new play written by Theresa Ikoko that debuts at The Young Vic Theatre this October.
Akhalu plays Tisana, with Tijani as Haleema and Zamba as Ruhab.
“They leave a trail of fire and flesh. If they followed it – if somebody followed the stench – they would find us”
Nigeria, 2014. Teenagers Tisana, Haleema, and Ruha are best friends, busy swapping notes on celebrities, sex positions, and dodging carbs.
But when they’re kidnapped by militant insurgents and forced towards an uncertain future, they have only each other to turn to. As fear and religious differences begin to fracture their bond, how far can their friendship be tested before it breaks?
Directed by Ewa Dina, the creative team features set & costume design by Raphaé Memon, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, composition by féz, sound design by Munotida Chinyanga, movement direction by dkfash and fight & intimacy direction by Haruka Kuroda.
The production dramatherapist is Samantha Adams and costume supervisor is Maddie Bevan. Carmel Macraee is the production manager, Lavinia Serban is the stage manager and Shaneice Brown is the deputy stage manager.
Girls plays the Young Vic’s Maria Theatre from October 22 – November 21, 2026. Tickets here.
Top image: Hannah Akhalu, Tara Tijani, Sewa Zamba, Theresa Ikoko and Ewa Dina (images supplied)