AFRONAUTS.
Theatre/Circus/Festival
date. Touring (Europe/Africa Tour) 2026
city. Lusaka + Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Co-production with Circus Zambia
Based on true events.
An all-ages, high-flying collision of circus, theatre, and space adventure.
It’s 1964. The world’s superpowers are locked in the heat of the space race… but they’ve been joined by an unexpected contender — Zambia.
Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, visionary and risk-taker, set out to send Africa’s first astronauts into the cosmos. His crew? A young girl, two cats, and a missionary. His rocket? Aluminium, ambition, and sheer audacity.
Wake The Beast and Circus Zambia launch you into a story of dreamers, daredevils, and impossible possibilities. This astonishing all-ages show bursts to life with breathtaking acrobatics, theatrical spectacle, and irresistible heart.
It’s a true story of hope, courage, and the kind of audacity that might just take you all the way to the moon… or at least make you believe you could.
Following its world premiere in Lusaka, Afronauts is touring the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands in Summer/Autumn 2026 — with performances landing in festivals, theatres, and unexpected spaces along the way. More dates and venues will be announced soon.
In the meantime, you can book tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe here and support the journey via our crowdfunder here.
Written and Directed by Gift Chansa and Adam McGuigan
AFRONAUTS is kindly supported by the Irish Embassy, Lusaka, Zambia.
