The Chosen Haram – Auckland Arts Festival 2023

The Chosen Haram

The Chosen Haram

Sadiq Ali / Turtle Key Arts

Haram / həˈrɑːm / Adjective

1. forbidden or proscribed by Islamic law.

The Chosen Haram deals with themes of sexuality, faith, addiction and connection. The story of two gay men and their chance meeting through a dating app, portraying the highs and lows of their relationship and the social and cultural barriers they face.

The Chosen Haram is based on a combination of lead artist Sadiq Ali’s personal experience, as well as interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as (ex) Muslim. The show is an exploration into the personal struggles faced by many people whose upbringing contradicts their personal truths, and how this can lead to selfdestructive behaviour.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this show, scan the QR code where we have gathered links to organisations that can provide help and advice.

“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 and the world around me. 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 internal 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 in this right now and I am pleased to be able to use my experience and my life to enable that representation for others.”

— Sadiq Ali

1hr 5mins no interval

Suitable for ages 16+

Contains simulated drug use and depictions of sex

Funded by Arts Council England and Creative Scotland. Supported by Jacksons Lane, Assembly Roxy Lab, Dancebase, Summerhall, London Met Uni. & Journeys in Design.

IMAGE CREDIT (front cover): Glen McCarty

Produced by Turtle Key Arts

Contact: shaun@turtlekeyarts.org.uk

+44 (0)20 8964 5060 turtlekeyarts.org.uk

Assistant Producer Vee Smith

Lead Artist & Performer

Sadiq Ali

Performer

Hauk Pattison

Circus Movement Consultant

Conor Neall

Dramaturgy

Rishi Trikha

Sound Designer

Guy Veale

Original Compositions

Kester Hynds

Lighting Design

Jamie Heseltine

Costume

Cleo McCabe

Technical Stage Manager

Chris Gorman

Mentor

Al Seed

Supported by

Flora Herberich

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 companies like Ockhams Razor, Upswing Circus and Superfan, and has been devising his own full length works, the first of which, The Chosen Haram, premiered to critical acclaim. Ali also regularly performs on the international cabaret, variety and burlesque circuits where he combines a joyous love for comedy, body expression and representation.

Ali’s debut work is a show which has enabled them to explore their experience of sexuality and faith and apply that to a contemporary circus art form. This means that Ali has been able to successfully create a queer, intersectional narrative within a field that seldom sees such stories on stage. His show takes a focus on the impacts of gay shame, drugs, chemsex, faith and addiction, and how these can become barriers in our desire to find sexual freedom, define our identities, and ultimately find love. This experience has sparked the passion to further explore the potentials inherent within circus to tell alternative stories, touch the heart of the audience and to ultimately make change within how we perceive the artform.

HAUK PATTISON is a Londonborn multidisciplinary performer who specialises in theatre, martial arts and circus. He graduated from the National Centre for Circus Arts in 2014 and has been performing and creating ever since. He has also continued to add to his skill set by training to teach stage combat as well as to become a stunt and specialist action performer.

Pattison is obsessed with the extremity and the subtly of storytelling and is very proud to have been involved with the creation and performance of The Chosen Haram from early on in its development. His previous work includes Dunsinane for the RSC; Macbeth for the Royal National Theatre and National Theatre Productions; Guardians of the Galaxy by Secret Cinema, Marvel and Disney; Depths of My Mind and Be-Loved for Scarabeus; Playground Victories for Scribbled Thought and Light the Fuse; Fallen Circus, Notes on a Scandal, Dumbo, Pennyworth and The Witcher.

THE CHOSEN HARAM AT AAF WITH SUPPORT FROM

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) champions change-making, the environment, ambitious ideas, powerful voices and unique experiences that open our eyes, our hearts and our minds.

The Festival takes place each March in New Zealand’s largest city, and reflects its contemporary, multicultural nature.

AAF challenges its community to be courageous, to be bold, and to explore new ways of reflecting the world around us.

Through the incredible work of artists here in Aotearoa and across the globe, we aim to unify, uplift and inspire our audiences – the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa and all who visit.

Board of Trustees /

Te Poari Kaitiaki

John Judge (Chair)

Angela Clatworthy

Evan Davies

Eleshea D’Souza

Sarah Judkins

Graham Tipene

Fred Ward

Angela Watson

Chief Executive /

Kaiwhakahaere Matua

Robbie Macrae

Artistic Director / Kaitohu Toi

Shona McCullagh mnzm

Kaihautū Māori

Ataahua Papa

CORPORATE PATRONS

MAJOR FUNDERS

PATRONS

PLATINUM

Janet Clarke & John Judge

Kent Gardner & Ngaere Duff

Sir Roderick and Gillian, Lady Deane

Andrew & Jenny Smith

Christine & Richard Didsbury

SILVER

Julie & Brian Cadzow

Jeremy Collins Family

FUNDING PARTNERS

John & Jo Gow

Sir Chris & Lady Dayle Mace

Rochelle McLaren

BRONZE

John Barnett

Frances Bell

John Billington QC

Anonymous

Graham Cleary

Sally Woodfield & David Inns

Dame Jenny Gibbs

Andrew Gelonese & Michael Moore

Sonbol & Farzbod Taefi

Lady Philippa Tait

Fred & Nicky Ward

JADE

Jenny Anderson

Mark & Angela Clatworthy

Amber Coulter & Andrew Lewis

Tracey Haszard & Phil Sargent

Vanessa Morgan

Kate Plaw

Geoff & Fran Ricketts

Christopher Simcock & Camilla Hope-Simcock

Anthony & Sandra Grant