Small Axe Stars Lead New Romcom at Soho Theatre, London 2026

Key Points

• Production and Venue: A new British-Jamaican romantic comedy play titled A to B is scheduled to run at the Soho Theatre in London from 12 June to 3 July.
• Creative Force: The production is written by British-Jamaican playwright Tia-Renee Mullings, who integrated a unique spoken word spin into the traditional romantic comedy format.
• Star-Studded Cast: The play stars rising actors Sheyi Cole and Zakkiyah Dean, both widely recognised for their previous performances in the BBC’s acclaimed anthology series Small Axe.
• Narrative Focus: The plot centres on a Black British love story following two characters who are set up on a blind date by their mutual friends.
• Cultural Celebration: A to B joins a broader movement of contemporary productions, including South London Stories: The Monologues and Redcliffe, aimed at celebrating the distinct culture of South London boroughs such as Southwark, Lambeth, and Lewisham.

Soho, London (South London News) 18 May, 2026 – A groundbreaking British-Jamaican romantic comedy play that blends traditional theatre with spoken word poetry is officially set to debut at the Soho Theatre next month. Written by emerging British playwright Tia-Renee Mullings, the production, titled A to B, will secure a limited three-week engagement running from 12 June until 3 July. The highly anticipated project is poised to elevate the profiles of its leading actors, Sheyi Cole and Zakkiyah Dean, both of whom previously achieved critical acclaim for their roles in the BBC’s landmark anthology series Small Axe.

As reported by Cristina Trujillo of the South London News, the narrative of A to B focuses entirely on a contemporary Black British love story, tracking the awkward, humorous, and deeply emotional interactions between two young Londoners who find themselves paired up on a blind date orchestrated by well-meaning friends. The play represents a growing theatrical movement dedicated to documenting localized, authentic urban experiences across the capital.

How Does A to B Incorporate Spoken Word Into a Modern Romcom?

The structural framework of A to B relies heavily on the fusion of theatrical dialogue and rhythmic spoken word poetry, a stylistic choice intended to capture the cadence of modern London speech.

According to the original report by Cristina Trujillo of the South London News, playwright Tia-Renee Mullings expressed that her creative impetus stemmed from a noticeable gap in the mainstream theatrical landscape. Reflecting on her artistic motivations, Mullings stated:

“I wrote A to B out of a desire for more Black British love stories and my love for spoken word.”

By combining the vulnerable, internal exploration inherent to spoken word with the lighthearted, situational tropes of a romantic comedy, the production aims to offer a nuanced portrayal of modern romance. The narrative explicitly steers away from broader systemic traumas to focus intimately on the joy, hesitation, and connection experienced by young Black British couples in contemporary London.

Who Are the Lead Actors Starring in the Production?

The casting of Sheyi Cole and Zakkiyah Dean brings significant acting calibre to the Soho Theatre stage. Both performers were heavily noted for their standout, emotionally resonant performances in the BBC’s Small Axe series, a critically revered collection of films directed by Sir Steve McQueen.

The anthology series famously shone a distinct light on the historic struggles, triumphs, and daily lives of London’s West Indian communities throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

In this new venture, Cole and Dean transition from historical drama to contemporary romance. Shifting from the heavy, politically charged environments of their previous roles, they will now star side by side as the central couple navigating the immediate vulnerabilities of a modern blind date.

Which Boroughs and Cultural Movements Are Celebrated in This Performance?

Beyond the central romance, A to B serves as a deliberate cultural exploration of South London’s distinct geographic identity. The dialogue, setting, and character backgrounds are deeply rooted in the specific socio-cultural fabrics of neighbourhoods located south of the River Thames.

The production is designed to align with and build upon a wider wave of local storytelling. It joins recent, critically acclaimed productions such as South London Stories:

The Monologues and Redcliffe. Together, this collective body of work functions to celebrate, preserve, and broadcast the unique culture, slang, and community histories belonging to places like Southwark, Lambeth, and Lewisham. By staging these hyper-local narratives at a central hub like the Soho Theatre, the creators are bringing the distinct energy of South London to broader West End audiences.

Background of the Particular Development

The debut of A to B comes at a time when British theatre is experiencing a sustained push for more diverse, locally authentic programming, particularly within off-West End venues like the Soho Theatre. Historically, mainstream British romantic comedies have heavily favoured white, middle-class narratives set in affluent areas of West or North London.

The emergence of writers like Tia-Renee Mullings reflects a systemic shift driven by a generation of artists demanding representation that mirrors the multicultural reality of modern working-class London.

Furthermore, the casting of Sheyi Cole and Zakkiyah Dean highlights the lasting legacy of the BBC’s Small Axe anthology, which premiered in late 2020. McQueen’s series acted as a major catalyst for Black British talent, serving as a high-profile launchpad for young actors.

The series proved that stories centered on the West Indian diaspora could achieve both critical commercial success and global recognition. A to B represents the next evolution for this cohort of talent, transitioning from the historical struggles of the Windrush generation’s children to the self-determined, romantic, and everyday experiences of Black British youth today.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect London’s Theatre Audiences and Emerging Playwrights

The staging of A to B at the Soho Theatre is highly likely to influence both theatre-going audiences and the broader landscape for emerging playwrights in several distinct ways.

For South London residents and younger, diverse demographics who have historically felt alienated by traditional West End theatre offerings, this play provides a direct incentive to engage with central London venues. Seeing familiar boroughs like Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark validated on a prominent stage will likely foster a deeper sense of cultural ownership and increase repeat attendance among these communities.