Written by Hoda Ali

Designed and Directed by Nikki Charlesworth

A moving re-telling on one woman’s survival and recovery from FGM, the impact it had on her life, and her determination for this not to happen to others. An inspirational piece of theatre, starting as a friendship between Human Right Activist Hoda Ali, and artist Nikki Charlesworth

“You save one girl, you save generation”.

Funded by Arts Council England, supported by City Arts Nottingham, Nottingham Playhouse, New Art Exchange and The Vavengers. The show premiered at New Art Exchange as part of Nottingham Refugee Week 2024, followed by a performance at Derby Theatre, and The Vagina Museum, London.

Photos credit to Lamar Francios.

The story begins in Somalia; Hoda shares happy memories of playing on the beaches of Mogadishu with her sister. Aged 7 Hoda is a survivor of FGM. Aged 13, she seeks treatment for dangerous complications. She flees to Djibouti, then to Italy for further medical treatment and to escape civil war, and finally arrives in the UK and within hours of moving to London, she meets the love of her life.

The show provides an intimate experience as you are invited into Hoda’s life through different forms of puppet theatre, projection and storytelling.

Full creative team:
Projection Design: Amber Cooper-Davies
Sound Design: Juliana Lisk
Lighting Design and Technical Manager: Julian Hanby

Cast:
Susu Ahmed
Roseanna Frascona
Vanessa Ndema
Amber Ogunsanya-William

Listen to original music by Juliana Lisk here.
Watch our rehearsal trailer below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nottingham Playhouse (@nottmplayhouse)

Photos from the original research and development, co-designed and directed in 2017 by Nikki Charlesworth, Amy Duran and Rachel Leggett, premiering at Nottingham Puppet Festival 2018. In attendance were the general public, representatives of charities Mojatu and 28TooMany, and Hoda’s friends and family.