Aisha Zia
Co-created and written by Aisha Zia, this powerful award-winning production was devised in collaboration with five 16 – 23-year-old Muslim women and former national champion Ambreen Sadiq. Based on interviews with Muslim female boxers and staged in real boxing gyms, this immersive show explores being young, fearless and doing the unexpected. With a live electronic sound score by Wojtek Rusin, epic visual design, cinematic lighting and the energy of a club.
WINNER of Scotsman Fringe First Award 2014
Shortlisted for Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Awards 2014
The play text is available to buy from Bloomsbury: Buy Here
“Full of sweaty, sweary joy at the sheer possibilities of life”
**** The Guardian
“Powerful and triumphant … a celebration of the human will that transcends religion and gender”
**** The Independent
“A theatrical experience to remember; raw, heartfelt, blazing with energy and sometimes absolutely beautiful”
**** The Scotsman
“An irresistible thing about muscle, guts and the determination to stand up for who you are in an increasingly mad world”
**** Herald
“One of the most important pieces of theatre I’ve seen for some time”
***** Yorkshire Post
Co-produced by Contact Theatre and Common Wealth Theatre, funded by Arts Council England, Scottish Government, Neighbourhood Partnership (Portobello and Craigmillar), Foundation Scotland, Theatre in the Mill, Bradford Council and Contact.
Performed in:
Sandy’s Gym, Edinburgh, August 2014
Bradford College Police and Boxing Academy, September 2014
Moss Side Boxing Gym, November 2014
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, March 2015
