The Show

An audio-led journey into the world of a Cairene vigilante

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.

Locations

How it works

Audience Experience

  • The starting point for each performance will be the venue.
  • The show will be experienced through headphones and will involve following a designated walking route.
  • Audiences will be offered a series of staggered start-times across the run.
  • We recommend you book in pairs or groups, 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.
  • Each route involves around 30 minutes of walking. There are spaces to sit or rest along each route.

Suitable ages 16+
Running time: 1hr 15 minutes (approx.)
BSL version: 1hr 45m (approx.)


A note from the company about the content  

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 access@independentartsprojects.com

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.

Audio devices provided by www.majorityradios.co.uk

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Supporters

Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi is
an Independent Arts Projects (Edinburgh) production
in association with Hewar Company (Alexandria).

Co-commissioned by Shubbak Festival.
Supported by British Council Arts‘ Digital Collaboration Fund,
Creative Scotland’s Sustaining Creative Development Fund
and Edinburgh International Festival.