Polka Theatre announce the casting for Sisters 360, produced by Polka Theatre, AIK and Turtle Key Arts, in association with Leeds Playhouse. Sisters 360 premieres at Polka’s Adventure Theatre from Saturday 22 March to Sunday 27 April 2025 before embarking on a run at Leeds Playhouse, plus a community and schools tour, followed by being part of the ‘Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme’ in May.
Fatima and Salima are the closest, coolest, hijabi step-sisters in all of Bradford and they will win the Tiny is Mighty skateboarding competition, there is no doubt about it.
They’ve practised every trick in the book, and look (almost) as good as Sky Brown on the telly, just check out their YouTube Channel if you’re not convinced. Nothing will stop them. Except their parents have started whispering in the kitchen about living apart… about moving to different cities… only seeing each other in school holidays. How will they perfect their routine and win gold if their whole lives are about to turn 360 too? Only the greatest super plan ever concocted will help them achieve their dreams.
Inspired by real-life skateboarding sisters Layna, Maysa and Amaya, and their hero Olympic Medallist Sky Brown.
Playing the sisters are Sara Abanur (Of All The Beautiful Things In The World, HOMEmcr; Bad Science, SwitchMCR/HOMEmcr) as ‘Fatima’ and Farah Ashraf (Pink Rabbit, Theatre503; Santi & Naz, National Tour) as ‘Salima’.
Written by Asif Khan (Jabala And The Jinn) and directed by Ameera Conrad, Sisters 360’s creative team also comprises Set and Costume Designer Erin C Guan, Sound Designer and Composer Holly Khan, Movement Director Rachel-Leah Hosker, Puppet Maker and Designer Mikayla Teodoro, and Puppet Director Roman Stefanski.
Writer Asif Khan said. ‘Sisters 360 was inspired by three young Muslim sisters from Hull, who themselves were inspired by 13-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to take up the sport and showcase their new hobby loudly and proudly to the world. I loved how the sisters were breaking so many stereotypes, not only about being Muslim, but also being girls skateboarding.
It’s been an extremely difficult period for many in the Muslim community and I hope this new play will, in a small way, go to provide some joy and positive representation, as well as being a really fun experience at the theatre. I can guarantee that Fatima and Salima are truly, the coolest people to hang out with!’
Helen Matravers said, ‘Asif’s portrayal of Fatima and Salima’s love for one another, for their family and for their new-found passion in skateboarding is so wonderfully funny and full of magic, I can’t wait to share this show with Polka audiences and schools – it is an exceptional piece of new writing. It’s a story which will hopefully inspire and tackle difficult conversations around family for young people, but mostly shout very loudly (from the top of half pipes) about taking on any challenge and being whoever you want to be. It feels like an important show for young people to see, and is written with so much care and humour that it will entertain all ages. In the hands of such an incredible and bold creative team, the rigour and excellence in this piece will shine for all to see’.
Following it’s run at Polka, Sisters 360 will run in Leeds, first at Leeds Playhouse’s Bramall Rock Void from 7 to 10 May and then a community and schools tour w/c 12 May and w/c 19 May 2025. Sisters 360 will also be part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme 30-31 May before embarking on a Polka Theatre local schools tour in Spring 2026, following on from the success of two school’s tours of their production of Romeo and Juliet in 2024 and 2025.
Tickets are on sale now via polkatheatre.com
Polka Theatre is one of just a handful of dedicated children’s venues in the UK. Re-opening in 2021 after a major renovation, Polka continues to present a year-round programme of shows produced by Polka and from visiting companies. Polka also offers a full programme of creative learning activities for ages 0–12, with over 21,000 children taking part in the last year. Polka enjoys flexible rehearsal and workshop spaces along with two performance spaces: the Main Theatre has a 300-seat capacity, and the Adventure Theatre can seat up to 90 depending on the show format.
Over the past year Polka has worked with 143 schools through creative learning projects and this year are distributing over 9,000 free tickets to schools through their Curtain Up! scheme.
Polka is a community hub and vital resource, open 6 days per week, 50 weeks per year at a challenging time to be a sustainable public venue with step-free access, free-to-access play spaces and a cosy and welcoming café and shop.
