Sisters360 – the true story of hope, resilience and skateboarding sisters comes to Waterside

Inspired by the true story of three sisters from Hull who challenged stereotypes through skateboarding, Sisters360 comes to Waterside in Sale, Trafford this April.

Written by award-winning playwright Asif Khan (Tartuffe, Royal Shakespeare Company; Combustion, Arcola Theatre) and produced by Turtle Key Arts, Sisters360 is a funny, high energy play that uses skateboarding as an unlikely antidote to prejudice while daring to dream big. It promises to make waves in UK children’s theatre, with hijab-wearing girls taking centre stage as funny, fiercely ambitious heroes of their own story.

Step-sisters Fatima and Salima, played by Sara Abanur and Farah Ashraf, are a dedicated skateboarding duo from Bradford with their hearts set on winning the Tiny is Mighty competition and following in the footsteps of their hero, Olympic medalist Sky Brown. Sisters360 follows the challenges the siblings face when their parents begin talking about separation and the prospect of living in different cities, and how their shared love for skateboarding becomes the one constant holding them together. This production is a universal family story about sisterhood and resilience, where their skateboarding dream refuses to be derailed by the messy realities of teenage life.

The show is rooted in the real story of Layna, Maysa and Amaya, known as the “Hijabi Sisters” from Hull, whose passion for skateboarding in hijabs placed them in the spotlight of the media.

Recognising the powerful intersection of Muslim girls in skate culture and driven by a mission to address the lack of representation in children’s theatre, writer Asif Khan wrote Sisters360.

Working closely with the Hijabi Sisters and keeping his own children in mind, this heartfelt family show captures the defining intensity of sisterly love and love for the sport.

Writer Asif Khan, comments, “As a parent you worry about the challenges our children face, which we ourselves faced when we were kids. One of which I only fully understood as an adult was the effects of never seeing myself represented. All the ‘cool’ people on television, sport, music, films, plays never included anyone who looked like me. This led me to believe that being ‘brown’ and being a ‘Muslim’ was not cool. Because there is a lack of stories for children involving British Muslim characters, I thought – why not write some myself?”

Sisters360 in rooted in the authentic and contemporary British Muslim identity. The hijab is part of who Fatima and Salima are, highlighted by costume designer Erin C Guan who brings the original sisters’ dedication to their identity to life on stage. This production provides Muslim children the experience of seeing themselves reflected on stage as confident and fiercely ambitious.

A Polka Theatre, Turtle Key Arts and AIK production, in association with Leeds Playhouse and funded by Arts Council England and the Garek Trust.

Sisters360 plays at Waterside, Sale, Trafford on Tue 14 & Wed 15 April. Tickets are available here.