Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi

NIQABI NINJA by Sara Shaarawi Directed by Catrin Evans

Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi is a graphic-novel style revenge story about one woman’s transformation into a Cairene vigilante, as she attempts to right the wrongs of the male violence she sees all around her. Combining street artwork, audio-story performance and a walk through your city, you are invited to immerse yourselves in Hana’s world. Searing with dark comedy, this is a fearless reflection on the lengths women are willing to go to keep themselves and others safe. Intimate, visceral and pulsating with a soundtrack to inspire your own resistance against gendered and state violence, this will be an intimate performance to be experienced in pairs or small groups.

Originally written in reaction to the 2012-2014 mob sexual assaults in Tahrir Square, this is a story about rape culture and male violence, a violence that operates everywhere and isn't limited to one part of the world.

This August, we present this experience simultaneously in 5 locations across Scotland - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. We want this collective experience to offer the space for audiences to think about what it means to walk in public space without fear.

We don’t want finances to prevent anybody from attending this performance. Please feel free to contact our Box Office for a discount code which will give you a free ticket should you require one.

A note from the team about presenting this piece in this moment We understand that the content and form of this work could be triggering for people. Whilst we invite people who have to endure male and misogynistic violence to experience what we have made (including but not exclusive to women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people), we understand if you choose not to. In fact, we especially encourage those for whom this is not a daily threat to engage with this performance. If you would like any further information or a transcript of the performance before you attend, please email [email protected] . We offer this piece of work as a contribution to the struggle. We hope that eventually – together – things can be forced to change and all those who encounter male and misogynistic violence can be safe on the street, in their homes or wherever the hell else they want to be. Information The starting point for each performance will be the venue you have booked your tickets from. The show will be experienced through headphones and will involve following a designated walking route. The piece will last around 75 minutes.

Audiences will be offered a series of staggered start-times across the run in each venue. With each timeslot, there will be space for group bookings or paired bookings. We have not made solo bookings available as we feel this is a piece to experience with someone you know and trust, who you can reflect with afterwards.

Ahead of the performance, ticket holders will be sent more detailed information about how they will experience the show. Content: misogynistic violence, strong language. Creative Team Writer - Sara Shaarawi Director - Catrin Evans Associate Director - Niroshini Thambar Composer - BalQeis Sound Designer - Nik Paget-Tomlinson Illustrator - Gehan Mounir

Cast Performer - Rebecca Banatvala Performer - Juliana Yazbeck

An Independent Arts Projects Production in association with Hewar Company, Alexandria. Co-commissioned by Shubbak Festival and supported by British Council Arts Digital Collaboration Fund, Creative Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival.

Presented in Aberdeen in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts. Access

Here is some further information on access:

For BSL users a filmed interpretation of the audio is available to be watched on a tablet that the company will supply. We expect the BSL version will take up to 1hr 45 minutes and is available on request. Please contact [email protected] with your preferred performance date and time.

If you have any questions about access, please contact the company on [email protected]