| Maker | STET The English Theatre |
| Duration | 60 min |
| Part of |
Language no problem
Soulciety |
| Program lines |
So(ul)cietySocietal issues are addressed in this work, however complicated they may be.
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A heady mix of love, drugs and Islam
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.
This unique and complex take on circus, performed on two Chinese Poles, is emotionally candid and heartwarming with moments of humour and joy. The story unfolds with gravity-defying tricks and extraordinary movement. The Chosen Haram deals with themes around sexuality, chemsex, 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 a combination of creator and performer Sadiq Ali’s personal experience, as well as interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as (ex) Muslim.
STET - The English Theatre - and Korzo have joined forces for this special programme. STET is an international theatre organisation based in The Hague, founded in 2006. They strive to bring new and diverse theatre to international and local audiences. Read more about STET The English Theatre here.
Sadiq Ali is a mixed heritage, queer, circus artist and performance maker who graduated from London’s National Centre for Circus Arts. He has created and worked with contemporary circus companies like Ockhams Razor and Upswing Circus and has been devising his own full length works, the first of which, The Chosen Haram premiered in 2022 to critical acclaim. The show has enabled him to explore his experience of sexuality and faith applying that to a contemporary circus art form, to successfully create a queer, intersectional narrative within a field that seldom sees such stories on stage. Sadiq also regularly performs on the international Cabaret, Variety and Burlesque circuits where he combines a joyous love for comedy, body expression and representation. Sadiq has also worked as an avid HIV campaigner on a number of campaigns with organisations like the Terrance Higgins Trust and GMFA after being diagnosed with HIV when he was 24.
Korzo Zaal