Circus meets love, drugs and Islam in The Chosen Haram at Newbury
A big hit at last year's Edinburgh Fringe, Sadiq Ali’s The Chosen Haram,, comes to the Corn Exchange tomorrow (Thursday).
A heady mix of love, drugs and Islam, this unique and complex take on circus, performed on two Chinese poles, is emotionally candid and heart-warming, with moments of humour and joy. The story unfolds with gravity-defying tricks and extraordinary movement.
The Chosen Haram tells the story of two gay men, their chance meeting through a dating app, the highs and lows of their relationship and the barriers they must overcome, both social and cultural, in seeking happiness and personal fulfilment.
The show deals with themes around sexuality, faith, addiction and connection – an exploration into the personal struggles faced by many people whose upbringing contradicts their personal truths, and how this can lead to self-destructive behaviour.
It is based on Ali’s personal experience, as well as interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as (ex) Muslim.
Sadiq Ali says: ‘This show is a part of my life experience and the researched experience of others, both queer Muslims and ex-Muslims.
“Growing up I had the realisation that my sexuality didn’t connect with what I was being taught about my faith. This left me as a young queer person confused and full of self-loathing and shame.
“To deal with those feelings I had to numb the world around me and then found myself shrouded in addiction. This story is not uncommon and many queer people experience elements of it.
“I split this story into two characters and bring them and their issues together to find unity. Through these identities I can explore and present issues through the relationship that we see in this work.
“There is not often a representation of these issues on our stages. Queer intimacy within circus is almost non-existent. There seems to be a wave of change happening right now and I am pleased to be able to use my experience and my life to enable that representation for others.”
www.cornexchangenew.com
Suitable for ages 16 and over.
