Liberation Squares

2 May-11 May

Three British Muslim schoolgirls undergo a political awakening and try to work out how to make their voices heard against oppression.

Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse, in association with Brixton House present

Description

Written by Sonali Bhattacharyya

Three teenage girls forge an unlikely friendship when they meet at a creative writing workshop at a hip new café/workspace which used to be their library. They challenge each other with ideas, Tik Toks, lyrics, dance routines. But when they discover the workshop is connected to the state surveillance ‘Prevent’ programme, they have to fight back. The only question is how? Friendships fracture and loyalties are tested as they pursue different avenues of resistance. 

A story of sisterhood, freedom of speech and creative expression, in an era when dissent is being criminalised and the state follows your every move, online and offline. Why does being an outspoken Muslim girl have to be so damn hard?

Liberation Squares is about British Muslim schoolgirls, whose adolescence is as complex, infuriating and joyous as any other teenagers, but with the added complications of Islamophobia and cultural erasure. This funny, playful and deeply humane play puts young female agency centre stage; inspired by everything from graphic novels to real-world youth activists and organisers, it asks what it means for young Muslim women to become the heroes of their own stories.

Running time approx 1 hour 30 minutes.

Previous Fifth Word productions:

★★★★
“Mufaro Makubika’s smart dramatisation.”
The Guardian on WE NEED NEW NAMES

★★★★
“the significance of this play remain[s] immeasurable.”
The Stage on WE NEED NEW NAMES

★★★★
“A compassionate, emotionally astute and often very funny play.”
The Stage on LAVA

“an extraordinary achievement of writer, director and actors… deeply affecting work on a too-urgent subject.”
Exeunt on ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS


Previous work by Sonali Bhattacharyya:

★★★★
“Moving portrayal of sisterly love…I’d defy anyone to remain unmoved.”
The Guardian on TWO BILLION BEATS

★★★★
“This timely and thoughtful new play”
WhatsOnStage on TWO BILLION BEATS

★★★★★
“The story seamlessly yokes the personal to the political.”
The Telegraph on CHASING HARES

Performances

Tickets: £22, £18, £16 previews
Recommended age: 14+ Contains sensitive subject matter including references to racism and Islamophobia.
Thu 02 May 7:30pm
Preview
Fri 03 May 7:30pm
Press Night
Sat 04 May 2:30pm
Sat 04 May 7:30pm
Tue 07 May 7:30pm
Wed 08 May 2:30pm
Wed 08 May 7:30pm
Thu 09 May 7:30pm
Fri 10 May 7:30pm
Sat 11 May 2:30pm
Sat 11 May 7:30pm