The production will run at the Wimbledon based theatre from the 22nd March until the 27th April.
Artistic Director Helen Matravers, Executive Director Lynette Shanbury have announced casting for Asif Khan’s (Jabala And The Jinn) Sisters 360 which will begin performances at the Polka Theatre next month.
Directed by Ameera Conrad, the production is set to star Sara Abanur (Of All The Beautiful Things In The World, HOMEmcr; Bad Science, SwitchMCR/HOMEmcr) as ‘Fatima’ and Farah Ashraf (Pink Rabbit, Theatre503; Santi & Naz, National Tour) as ‘Salima’.
Fatima and Salima are the closest, coolest, hijabi step-sisters in all of Bradford and they will win the Tiny is Mighty skateboarding competition, there is no doubt about it.
They’ve practised every trick in the book, and look (almost) as good as Sky Brown on the telly, just check out their YouTube Channel if you’re not convinced. Nothing will stop them. Except their parents have started whispering in the kitchen about living apart… about moving to different cities… only seeing each other in school holidays. How will they perfect their routine and win gold if their whole lives are about to turn 360 too? Only the greatest super plan ever concocted will help them achieve their dreams.
Sisters 360 is inspired by real-life skateboarding sisters Layna, Maysa and Amaya, and their hero Olympic Medallist Sky Brown.
Talking about the play Asif Khan said: “Sisters 360 was inspired by three young Muslim sisters from Hull, who themselves were inspired by 13-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to take up the sport and showcase their new hobby loudly and proudly to the world. I loved how the sisters were breaking so many stereotypes, not only about being Muslim, but also being girls skateboarding.
It’s been an extremely difficult period for many in the Muslim community and I hope this new play will, in a small way, go to provide some joy and positive representation, as well as being a really fun experience at the theatre. I can guarantee that Fatima and Salima are truly, the coolest people to hang out with.”
The creative team behind the production includes: Set and Costume Designer Erin C Guan, Sound Designer and Composer Holly Khan, Movement Director Rachel-Leah Hosker, Puppet Maker and Designer Mikayla Teodoro, and Puppet Director Roman Stefanski.
Following it’s run at Polka, Sisters 360 will run in Leeds, first at Leeds Playhouse’s Bramall Rock Void from 7 to 10 May and then a community and schools tour w/c 12 May and w/c 19 May 2025. Sisters 360 will also be part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme 30-31 May before embarking on a Polka Theatre local schools tour in Spring 2026, following on from the success of two school’s tours of their production of Romeo and Juliet in 2024 and 2025.
To book tickets for the run at the Polka Theatre visit: https://polkatheatre.com/event/sisters-360/