Casting has been announced for the premiere of The Boys Are Kissing, the debut play from Zak Zarafshan, at Theatre503 in London.

The line-up will be Shane Convery, Philip Coreia, Amy McAllister, Seyan Sarvan, Kishore Walker and Eleanor Wyld, directed by the theatre’s artistic director, Lisa Spirling.

British-Iranian writer Zak Zarafshan is an alumnus of Theatre503’s development residency, 503Five. The Boys Are Kissing will run at Theatre503 from 17 January to 4 February 2023.

The play is described as a joyous and unexpected comedy that asks whether it really ever is “all about the children”. When Amira and Chloe’s nine-year-old son, Samira, shares a kiss with Lucas, another nine-year-old, in the playground, the school mums’ WhatsApp group goes wild, party invitations are rescinded, and Lucas’s seemingly liberal parents Matt and Sarah don’t know which way to turn. Luckily, two “cherubic winged guardians of the gays” – summoned to intervene in any queer disturbance – are on hand to drop in and cause a scene.

Zarafshan said: “The idea for this play was sparked by anti-LGBT education protests and the sense that as a society we increasingly seem to define ourselves in opposition to others.

“I wanted to explore the impact this has on family and community: How do we find compassion for people we disagree with if what they disagree with feels so personal to who we are?

“It was also really important to me to approach these themes in a way that felt subversive and full of humour. Theatre503 encourage new writers to be ambitious, brave and take risks. Working with them has been the most creatively fulfilling experience and I hope we’ve created a play that is first and foremost riotous fun.”

Spirling added: “The Boys Are Kissing is the theatrical adventure that the world needs right now. Funny, irreverent and celebratory, it asks key questions about who we are, why we are the way we are, and explores all that we might aspire to be.

“Theatre503 strives to tell stories that haven’t been heard before being told in ways we haven’t seen on stage before, and The Boys Are Kissing does this like no other.

“We’ve had the privilege to see Zak take this story from the earliest nugget of an idea though to a glorious full production and I’m buzzing to share it with audiences.”

The creative team also includes associate director Len Gwyn and movement director Mateus Daniel, with set and costume design by Aldo Vazquez, lighting design by Jo Underwood and sound design by Calum Perrin. Casting is by Emily Jones.

Tickets are on sale now at www.theatre503.com.