When I sat down with Emmanuel Akwafo to talk about An Ideal Husband at the Lyric Hammersmith, I knew I was in for more than just a chat about the show. Emmanuel’s warmth, candour, and sharp wit shone through as he unpacked what it means to bring Oscar Wilde’s century-old comedy into the world of London’s Black elite, a world obsessed with image, social media, and the masks we all wear.
This production, directed by Nicholai La Barrie, is a bold reimagining that places Wilde’s timeless themes of love, betrayal, and social ambition squarely in today’s context. Emmanuel plays two roles, Mason and Phipps, and he brings a personal touch to the characters, weaving in his Ghanaian heritage and queer identity with a refreshing honesty.
“It was so refreshing to take something, you know, and place it in today’s world and in today’s society,” Emmanuel told me. “The original show is like four hours long… And to try and squeeze a four-hour production to suit a more contemporary audience is the challenge and the fun, see what new we can bring to it. Especially me playing two different characters, bringing cultural references… I’m Ghanaian, so bringing a little bit of Ghanaian into it. And, you know, I’m also queer, so I was like, I’m going to make one of the characters queer. Why not? It doesn’t say in the script, you know, Oscar Wilde would have loved it. And that’s the beauty of being modern.”
Emmanuel’s humour and confidence in making the queer character his own is a powerful statement in an industry that has often sidelined stories like his. He shared candidly about the challenges he’s faced as a Black queer actor navigating theatre’s backstage and spotlight:
“There was a point in time where I was doing productions and they wouldn’t have a coloured mic, or I saw that they were treating other performers differently from the Black performers… simple stuff like makeup, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, your skin is fine, you don’t need any makeup.’ But if that’s the case, where you just don’t have any in my skin shade, just let me know. We can sit down together and be like, these are the things I use. People get scared or don’t want to tread the line. But together, we can make it accessible for everyone.”
His call for accessibility and inclusivity goes beyond just practicalities. It’s about changing the culture of theatre to be genuinely welcoming. Emmanuel is clear about what needs to happen next: “Number one change is we need more money in the arts. We’ve had such cuts and productions closing or people not being able to make beautiful shows because there’s no money in the arts. And then, more colourblind casting. We live in an age where you can put on shows and go, they don’t all have to be from one race. Let’s mix it up and have a big old fiesta.”
Despite the hurdles, Emmanuel’s journey is marked by resilience and a deep commitment to representation. He spoke about the directors who have supported him along the way, helping him feel seen and validated as both a queer person and an artist:
“There’s been so many people, directors like Nicholai… these amazing directors really held my hand and showed me what was possible. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be, so I’m forever grateful.”
When I asked Emmanuel how he wants audiences to leave An Ideal Husband, his answer was simple and full of pride: “I just want them to be grinning from ear to ear and just go, wow, that is Black excellence on a stage. Just come and enjoy. That’s all I want. Just come and enjoy and smile.”
And enjoy it you will. Emmanuel describes the show as “a mixture of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air meets Made in Chelsea meets The Crown,” a rom-com with heart, wit, and a fresh perspective rarely seen in Black theatre.
For young queer Black artists looking to find their voice, Emmanuel’s advice is both inspiring and practical: “Jump into the world of the unknown and know that you’re going to land on your feet. Just don’t be scared. We only have one life. Give it all you’ve got and know that you’ve got a community behind you.”
His authenticity and humour make it clear that Emmanuel Akwafo is not just reclaiming a classic, he’s reshaping it for a new generation, with all the complexity, joy, and truth that comes with being unapologetically yourself.
An Ideal Husband is playing at Lyric Hammersmith through to 6 June 2026. Hear the full interview on Stage & Screen with Harvey Morton.