Liberation Squares

Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse, in association with Brixton House, present By Sonali Bhattacharyya

About Liberation Squares

Three teenage girls forge an unlikely friendship. They challenge each other with Tik Toks, beat-boxing, rap and dance routines... They just want to build their social media empire, or study astronomy, or become as good a rapper as Megan Thee Stallion. But they undergo a political awakening when they realise that what you say – even what you think – is viewed very differently depending who you are.

When they find themselves the target of the state surveillance ‘Prevent’ programme, they have to fight back. Friendships fracture and loyalties are tested as they pursue different avenues of resistance. In an era when dissent is being criminalised, what does it take to speak up?

This is a riotous, funny play told through the technicolour lens of three teenage girls. Inspired by graphic novels, hip hop, pop culture and real-world activists, Liberation Squares asks what it takes for young Muslim women today to be the heroes of their own stories.

Image gallery

Production images

  • A brown women, with curly hair, tied into a pony tail. Wearing white shirt and a school jumper.
  • Three women on stage talking
  • Three women on stage talking
  • A young black women sat down. She has hair tied back, wearing white shirt and black school jumper
  • A young brown woman hair tied back with a braid, wearing a black top and green trousers and a crossbody bag talking into a mic.
4 Stars

"This is definitely one to watch"

- Theatre and Tonic

"A fantastic and important piece of theatre"

- Elemental Theatre

A strong, powerful and inspiring play"

- Newark Advertiser

Activism Through Art

  1. Elvis singing on a mic with a purple background

    The King's Voice

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    More info

Self Care Guide

Cast

  • Vaneeka Dadhria

    Ruqaya

  • Asha Hassan

    Sabi

  • Halema Hussain

    Xara

Credits

  • Milli Bhatia

    Director

  • Tomás Palmer

    Designer

  • Joshua Gadsby

    Lighting Designer

  • Elena Peña

    Composer & Sound Designer

  • Iskandar إسكندر R. Sharazuddin

    Movement Director

  • Arthur Carrington

    Casting Director

  • afshan d’souza-lodhi

    Dramaturg

  • Jade Franks

    Assistant Director

  • Chloe Chancheong

    Stage Manager

  • Eshmit Kaur

    Artist Wellbeing

  • Ania Levy

    Associate Designer

  • Bella Kear

    Associate Sound Designer

  • Emilie Carter

    Costume Supervisor

  • Hannah Zemlack

    Props Supervisor

  • Rachel Bowen, Andrew Quick, Jamie Smith

    Production Managers