Birmingham Rep is to stage a new comedy drama, Community, which is set in the heart of the city and is a play exploring identity, belonging and friendship.
It has been written by Birmingham-born Farrah Chaudry, alumna of the Rep’s artist development programme, The Foundry, who said, “I wanted to tell a story that celebrates brown and Muslim people at a time where we’re constantly degraded and dehumanised. I wanted to show characters who were fun, funny, flawed, human, complex, kind and on journeys of healing, loved and loving, rather than how we’re often portrayed on TV, film or stage. This play is a love letter to Birmingham too.”
Sabrina Nabi will take the role of Zoya, a pampered young woman from Edgbaston, struggling with a lack of purpose after her parents cut her off financially. Kerena Jagpal will play Leyla, the hardworking and dependable friend who dedicates her time to helping others. She lives in Balsall Heath with her housemate Khalil, a Syrian refugee, played by Sayyid Aki.
Aki will make his professional stage debut, while Nabi and Jagpal will return to the Rep after taking part in the Kali Writers Discovery Showcase.
Community will be staged in The Door at the Rep from Thursday 30 January until Saturday 8 February. It will then go on a two-week tour of libraries, schools and community venues in the West Midlands.