February 28th – March 4th, VAULT Festival
Coming to London after a barnstorming, critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015, Wound Up Theatre’s Bismillah! An ISIS Tragicomedy, now has its London debut at VAULT Festival this Spring, exploring the strange new reality of youth in modern day Britain and examining social alienation, radicalisation, disenfranchisement and the rock band Queen.
“bold and thought-provoking” The Guardian
Dean joined the army, Danny joined the Islamic State. Bismillah! is their time together as captive and guard. Set in 2015 in a basement in Northern Iraq, Bismillah! uses humour and compassion to approach an incredibly vital discussion around the experiences of disenfranchised young people in modern Britain.
This hilarious and heartbreaking production examines the impact of racial, social, economic and religious politics on youth in society. It’s a show which tackles huge contemporary issues: from rising social tensions and the fall out of interventionist foreign policies to working in Weatherspoons and the ever-rising price of a standard meal deal.
★★★★★“brilliantly acted and superbly written(…) side-splitting and touching” Broadway Baby
Bismillah! stormed the Fringe during its critically acclaimed run at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival. It was listed for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award and was endorsed by Nihal Arthanayake on the BBC Asian Network. Since its Fringe run, the show has been in development with Sevan Greene at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East. VAULT Festival marks the show’s London theatrical debut.
Wound Up Theatre, joined by award-Winning producer Sofi Berenger and director Jonny Kelly, produce award winning theatre-maker Matthew Greenhough’s script. Wound Up produce social and politically aware theatre, which discusses seismic issues, through comedy – facilitating discussions and challenging ideas. The company’s first play, Delusions of Adequacy, explored youth unemployment, and #VILE: The Untimely Demise of a Manufactured Pop Star, exploring the impact of celebrity culture and social media on mental health in working class Northern Communities.