Stage

THE voices of women who have survived abuse, trauma and incarceration are heard in a new production at Bradford Literature Festival.

Abda Khan, author of the novels Stained and Razia and British Muslim Woman of the Year 2019, has delivered a series of creative writing workshops for women from Muslim Women in Prison Project in Bradford, refuges in Birmingham, and Solihull Women’s Aid.

Through the workshops, the women have been able to to articulate their experiences in writing, and Abda has captured their stories, thoughts and experiences for her stage production. The powerful and moving writing will be brought to life by actors under the direction of Trina Haldar in Sidelines to Centre Stage, produced by Sampad and performed at Bradford’s Theatre in the Mill on Sunday, June 30.

The writing covers a range of complex issues, including domestic violence, forced marriage, ‘honour’ abuse, female genital mutilation, child abuse, femicide, homelessness and forced prostitution.

The workshop sessions have explored not only these problems, but wider issues such as family, coming of age, identity, culture, religion, love, isolation, separation, loss and hope, all of which have culminated in powerful, moving and emotive pieces of poetry and prose.

Sampad is a leading cultural organisation helping to establish South Asian arts within mainstream culture across the UK. Through performances, advocacy, education and outreach activity, using diverse artforms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Sampad nurtures and supports British Asian arts and communities.

Abda graduated with a law degree in 1991 and later set up her own law practice. She works in a voluntary role as a mentor, and trustee with Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid.

* Visit bradfordlitfest.co.uk/event/sidelines-centre-stage