STATUES

Written and Performed by Azan Ahmed

Two Magpies Productions in association with Bush Theatre. Originally developed by Nuu Theatre

09 Oct - 09 Nov 24

WORLD PREMIERE
Bush Theatre, W12 8LJ
Runtime: 1 hour - Tickets from £15

Show Info

Statues was originally developed by Nuu Theatre. This new production is presented by Two Magpies Productions in association with Bush Theatre

“He grew up to be a man whose sighs and slumps replaced sentences. Is that gonna be me?

Days after his father’s passing, English teacher Yusuf discovers a dusty mixtape that changes everything he knew about a man who barely spoke.

Turns out, Mustafa spent the 90s rapping about pretty girls and Kilburn life, plotting dreams of superstardom with his best friend Omar. How did this passionate wordsmith become a silent statue?

Yusuf’s mourning is overtaken by a journey into the past. Threaded together by Omar’s thumping beats and his father’s bars, Yusuf uncovers secrets that turn his world upside-down.

Witty, honest, and deeply moving, Statues is a lyrical love letter to the original code switchers, exploring the impact of loss, and what you can gain from it. Written and performed by award-winning playwright Azan Ahmed (Deen & Dunya, The Father and the Assassin).

Artwork photography by Helen Murray

Cast & Creative Team

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Writer Performer (Development + Bush Theatre Production)

Azan Ahmed

Azan is an actor and poet whose work explores diaspora and British-Muslim masculinity. A finalist of the 2020 Roundhouse Poetry Slam, he has been commissioned by the Lord Mayor of London, Half Moon Theatre and Apples & Snakes. Recent acting credits include Mood (BBC), Hope Street (BBC) and Name, Place, Animal, Thing (Almeida Theatre). He is due to appear in Jack Absolute Flies Again at the National Theatre next year.

Director (Development + Bush Theatre Production)

Esme Allman

Esme Allman is a theatremaker, writer and facilitator from South London. She is currently the Participation Associate at Clean Break and a Roundhouse Resident Artist. Previously, she has worked with the Young Vic and Arts Educational Schools.

Actor Musican/DJ (Development)

Jonny Khan

Jonny Khan is an Actor, Writer and DJ based in South London. He has worked with theatres including Royal Court, Bush, Kiln and New Vic Theatre and explores blurring the lines between theatre and clubbing in his work.

Videographer (Development)

Renee Bailey

Renee is an actor and videographer who has various credits across TV and Theatre. Most recently Mood (BBC Three), How to Be A Person (Channel 4) and Rebel Cheer Squad: A Get Even Series (BBC & Netflix). Her theatre credits include Bible John (Vaults Festival), Unknown Rivers (Hampstead Theatre) and This Isn’t A True Story (Almeida Theatre).

Movement Director (Development)

Hamza Ali

Hamza is a movement director, theatre-maker and performer whose work seamlessly weaves physical performance with music and text. Since graduating from RCSSD’s MA Movement course, he has provided movement direction and coaching to projects for the London International Animated Film Festival, Central St. Martins and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Find out more

Hear from the creative team: Azan, Esme & Jonny about what STATUES is, how it came to be, what to expect & what they got up to in the research & development funded by Barbican Open Labs