Part adaptation and part modernisation of a Greek classic, Aaliyah (After Antigone), presented by Freedom Studios, is set in, and reimagined, for Bradford, with a cast of talented actors exploring a powerful, relevant political message.
The eponymous lead, Aaliyah (Hussain), highlights the female voice as she and her sister battle through traditional views of women in a patriarchal society. We see her fighting to keep her brother from being deported and learn that her Home Secretary mother-in-law (Akhtar) is behind it; the feelings of betrayal felt by Aaliyah become all too real as she rejects her husband Hussain (Sanghera) for not telling her the truth. After a social media campaign that almost threatens to cancel her nationality, we see the couple in a heart-warming scene discussing baby names, but the stage is awash in a sea of red reflecting the protests outside, mirroring, no doubt, the fire burning inside Aaliyah.
The story is spread across pieces to camera, iPhone, TV screens and the now ubiquitous Zoom, (as well as being live streamed), used as a narrative device to add dimension and cacophony in an increasingly complex world. Writer, Kamal Kaan, who has a penchant for angsty, existential drama, weaves the personal with the political to deliver a play that resonates the reality of living in modern-day Britain, forcing the audience to confront the ugly truths about the supposed freedoms of this country.
For all its chaos and confusion, this is a production which tries to explore perhaps too much, yet the powerful themes as diverse as betrayal, social inequalities, class and racism, cannot be ignored.
Name of Production: Aaliyah (After Antigone)
Year of Production: 2021
Venue: Impact Hub Bradford
Cast: Halema Hussain, Lydia Hasoon, Jag Sanghera, Siddiqua Akhtar
Director: Alex Chisolm, Dermot Daly
Writer: Kamal Kaan
Sound Design: Ed Clarke
Designer: Miriam Nabarro
Producers/Prouction Company: Freedom Studios
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