The creators of the international hit The Chosen Haram return with Tell Me, a powerful new production blending circus, dance and theatre. Touring from 16 January to 10 February 2026, the show embraces a hopeful, human vision of life with HIV in the 21st century.
Created and directed by Sadiq Ali and produced by Turtle Key Arts, Tell Me invites audiences to confront stigma and celebrate resilience through breathtaking movement and emotional storytelling.
Using Chinese Pole, aerial artistry and physical theatre, Tell Me follows a woman navigating her HIV diagnosis in a world still shaped by prejudice and misunderstanding. The production transforms lived experience into a universal story of strength, empathy and shared humanity.
Following the international success of The Chosen Haram, which toured over 25 UK venues and major festivals worldwide, Tell Me marks the next bold step in Sadiq Ali’s mission to use circus as a vehicle for social change.
The cast features Sadiq Ali, Phoebe Knight and Jonah Russell, with lighting by Jamie Heseltine, sound by Guy Veale, dramaturgy by Rishi Trikha, costume design by Aslı Özüak, and choreography consultation by Jonathan Lunn and Junior Cunningham.
Sadiq Ali comments:
“When I was diagnosed with HIV during my circus training, I saw how much fear and ignorance still existed. I want Tell Me to challenge that – to create the same shift in audiences that I experienced with my peers, to replace fear with empathy and understanding. I want to challenge preconceptions to allow audiences a similar shifting of ideas and create a work that breaks that fear.”
Developed in consultation with HIV charities Positively UK and CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association), the production will include post-show discussions exploring life with HIV in 2026.
Tour dates include:
- 16–17 January 2026 – The Lowry, Salford (World Premiere)
- 23–24 January 2026 – The Place, London (in association with MimeLondon)
- 6 February 2026 – Worthing Theatres
- 9–10 February 2026 – Manipulate Festival, Edinburgh
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
