“What is a revolution if you can’t dance!”
Arcola’s co-founder Leyla Nazli (Mare Rider, Silver Birch House) adapts Ece Temelkuran’s celebrated novel Women Who Blow on Knots for the stage, presenting a powerful tale of freedom, resilience, and unbreakable female friendships.
Set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, we follow the journey of four remarkable women on a road trip starting from Tunisia through Libya and Egypt to Lebanon. Madame Lilla, a mysterious and glamorous chameleon, takes charge and leads revolutionaries Maryam and Amira; and Eve, a Turkish journalist, headfirst through an adventurous journey that changes the course of their lives.
As they traverse North Africa to the Middle East in a classic Cadillac, these women confront their pasts and form indestructible bonds, undeterred by the socio-political turmoil around them. This powerful adaptation celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who dare to unravel the knots of their destinies and weave new futures.
Ece Temelkuran is a Turkish journalist and political commentator, and author of How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship. Her novel Women Who Blow On Knots is a phenomenon in Turkey, with more than 120,000 copies sold.
Leyla Nazli’s previous work at Arcola: Mare Rider (2013); Silver Birch House (2007). Leyla is Executive Producer and co-founder of Arcola Theatre.
Lerzan Pamir’s previous work at Arcola: Dark Vanilla Jungle (2015); When the Bulbul Stopped Singing (2013).
PAGE TO STAGE Post – Show Talk: On Tuesday 29th October, meet acclaimed author Ece Temelkuran and Adaptor & playwright Leyla Nazli as they discuss the plays compelling themes and its skilful adaptation for the stage, hosted by Nadia Idle.
“Like a dream, this show shimmers. Heartening, engaging, memorably characterised, continually episodic...The immediacy, cries, reveals are inherently theatrical and precious. A must-see.” – Fringe Review
“An exploration of revolution, mysticism and feminine power ... offers compelling moments of theatrical magic.” – Everything Theatre
“An ambitious and compelling adaptation” – Adventures in Theatreland
“It’s the universal bonds of sisterhood and motherhood you come away remembering” – London Pub Theatres
“Female stories from the Arab Spring take centre stage in this imaginative joyride through North Africa” – The Stage
“Nazli does a fine job of adapting this epic tale, distilling it down to two hours, and the tight, focused ensemble effortlessly draw us into the drama. It’s a truly international collaboration, beautifully staged by Lerzan Pamir, aided by Öguz Kaplangi‘s atmospheric sound.” – Camden New Journal
“The message of unity and solidarity in times of turmoil is nothing if not timely; a theme will no doubt speak to the local community, but also has a much wider resonance” – The Bookseller - Natasha Tripney
“Nazli has produced a thrilling work, which very much highlights the beautiful complexity of women’s lives.” – FORM - Idea
