Leicester’s Curve is to stage the world première of Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual, Dougal Irvine’s adaptation of Riaz Kahn’s 2012 book.
Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual tells Khan’s account of growing up as the son of strict Pakistani parents in the multi-cultural city of Leicester. He finds refuge from pressure to stay true to his cultural roots by joining Leicester’s infamous group of football hooligans, the Baby Squad.
Decked out in the latest designer gear and ready for a brawl with rival supporters on match days, Khan and his friends unwittingly create a multi-cultural gang advocating racial tolerance, where the only labels that matter are on the clothes. But, as the years go by, he discovers the true price of belonging to a subculture of violence.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “in our tenth birthday year, we’re delighted to be producing this incredible new play by Curve associate artist Dougal Irvine which places our city and heritage centre-stage.
“Leicester is renowned for its wonderful multi-culturalism and of course its football team. Riaz’s story offers a spirited and unique insight into a niche slice of Leicester life in the 1980s.
“Ultimately, this is a coming of age story of redemption and acceptance. We’re looking forward to transporting our audiences to the streets of Leicester and the terraces of the Filbert Street ground in this immersive and energetic Made at Curve drama.”
Now a De Montfort University lecturer, Riaz Khan said, “it’s an honour to have the team at Curve take my story and bring it to life on the stage.
“This is a story about the truth of the times—the racism, the violence, the pop-culture but also the friendships and integration that came out of it.
“I walked away from that life and now tell young people to do the same because there are better paths to take. I was so excited to read Dougal’s script and I can’t wait to see this show come together.”
Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual will run at Curve from 26 September until 6 October. Press night will be Wednesday 3 October.