Arcola Theatre presents Ece Temelkuran's

Women Who Blow On Knots

Adapted by Leyla Nazli

Directed by Lerzan Pamir

“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