Circus meets love, drugs and Islam in The Chosen Haram, coming to Exeter

The Chosen Haram was a big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 - the show everyone was talking about, 5-star reviews, sold-out every night and winner of the Summerhall Lustrum Award for “Unforgettable Performance”.

A heady mix of love, drugs and Islam this unique and complex take on circus, performed on two Chinese Poles, is emotionally candid, heart-warming with moments of humour and joy. The story unfolds with gravity-defying tricks and extraordinary movement.

The Chosen Haram tells the story of two gay men, their chance meeting through a dating app, the highs and lows of their relationship and the barriers they must overcome, both social and cultural, in seeking happiness and personal fulfilment.

The show deals with themes around sexuality, chemsex, faith, addiction and connection - an exploration into the personal struggles faced by many people whose upbringing contradicts their personal truths, and how this can lead to self-destructive behaviour. It is based on a combination of Ali’s’s personal experience, as well as interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as (ex) Muslim. The show is an exploration into the personal struggles faced by many people whose upbringing contradicts their personal truths, and how this can lead to self-destructive behaviour.

Something that is “Haram” is forbidden by Islam.

Sadiq will perform The Chosen Haram at Exeter Northcott Theatre on Tuesday 31 October. Tickets are available via exeternorthcott.co.uk