Author Riaz Khan will join the cast of Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual when it has its premiere at Curve, Leicester.
The play is an adaptation of Khan’s book documenting his time as a football hooligan in 1980s Leicester. Now reformed and a lecturer at De Montfort University, Khan will perform in every show during the production’s run.
Directed by Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster and adapted for the stage by Curve associate artist Dougal Irvine, Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual features Jay Varsani (Riaz) and Hareet Deol (Suf), both making their professional debuts at the theatre.
Khan said, “I’m very pleased Curve has made my book into a play. It actually feels surreal to think that a period of my life is being acted out on stage. I’m really excited to be part of it and can’t wait for it to be performed in front of an audience.”
Set in the 1980s, Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual tells Khan’s account of growing up in the multi-cultural city of Leicester. He fights back against racial abuse and social injustices by becoming involved in the football “casual” culture and joins Leicester’s infamous group of football hooligans, the Baby Squad.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “we’re honoured local legend Riaz Khan is joining our production. Dougal’s brilliant play is given an extra snapshot of reality with the appearance of Riaz.
“Jay and Hareet are two of the most exciting young actors we’ve had the pleasure of working with and it’s thrilling to see them working alongside Riaz and bringing his story to life.”
Grace Smart is set and costume designer, Tasha Taylor Johnson is composer and sound designer, and lighting designer is Charlotte Burton.
Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual runs at Curve from Wednesday 26 September until Saturday 6 October.