The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced full casting for the European premiere of Fat Ham, James Ijames’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, set to run at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 15 August to 13 September 2025.
Originally co-produced off-Broadway by The Public Theater and National Black Theatre, Fat Ham is a comic tragedy that explores themes of love, loss, pain, and joy.
The production is directed for the Swan Theatre by Sideeq Heard, with original direction by Saheem Ali.
Fat Ham follows Juicy, a queer college student from the American South, who is confronted by the ghost of his father at a family barbecue. The ghost claims he was murdered by Juicy’s uncle, Rev, who has just married Juicy’s mother, and demands revenge.
Olisa Odele makes his RSC debut in the lead role of Juicy. Odele is best known for his roles in Chewing Gum and Big Boys, with additional credits including It’s a Sin, Am I Being Unreasonable?, and The Hot Wing King at the National Theatre.
Joining him are Andi Osho as Juicy’s mother, Tedra, and Sule Rimi as both Pap and Rev. Both actors also make their RSC debuts.
Andi Osho’s theatre credits include The Miser and Yellowman, while her TV appearances span Line of Duty, Sex Education, and I May Destroy You. She is also a published author and former stand-up comedian.
Sule Rimi was nominated for an Olivier Award for Blues For An Alabama Sky and has appeared in Sweat, Jitney, and All My Sons. His screen work includes Foundation, Andor, and The English.
The full company includes Jasmine Elcock (Opal), Denver-Isaac Kwashe, Sandra Marvin (Rabby), Richard McIver, Corey Montague-Sholay (Larry), Florence Odumosu, and Kieran Taylor-Ford (Tio).
Playwright James Ijames said:
“I am thrilled to have my play premiere at the RSC! I’ve loved Shakespeare since I was very young and have watched the great actors of the RSC my whole life. This is a dream of a moment! Stratford is the perfect place to bring Fat Ham and with an absolutely superlative cast. They are just astonishing y’all! I can’t wait for audiences to meet the play – I hope it brings a lot of people joy!”
The creative team includes Maruti Evans (Set Design), Dominique Fawn Hill (Costume Design), Bradley King (Lighting Design), Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Design), Darrell Grand Moultrie (Choreography), Earon Chew Nealey (Hair and Wig Design), Skylar Fox (Illusions), Lisa Kopitsky (Original Fight Director), and Christopher Worrall CDG (Casting Director).
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
