Skateboards, Sisters, and Surprises: Inside Asif Khan’s Mischievous new play 'Sisters360'
In his captivating new play, Sisters360, actor and playwright Asif Khan invites young audiences into a vibrant world filled with skateboarding, sisterhood, and supernatural surprises. Inspired by real-life stories of young Muslim skateboarders and his own passion for imaginative storytelling, Sisters360 tells the moving story of two step-sisters from Bradford, Fatima and Salima, whose bond is tested when their parents decide to separate. We chatted to Asif to find out more!
What excites you most about writing for young people?
That you can be as silly and imaginative as you want and young people will love it. I always start with a character, who kids in the audience can easily relate to and recognise, but then really stretch where the story might go. In my first play for children (Jabala and the Jinn), I had the lead character Jabala find a connection and later a friendship with a ‘Jinn’ or ‘Genie’, a spirit mentioned in Arabian and Muslim mythology. In Sisters360, there’s also a supernatural element to the story. It’s all part of the fun and then you can just leave it to the director, designers and rest of the creative team to bring it to life! As a child I always loved reading Roald Dahl, and enjoyed the magical and imaginative elements found in his novels, such as in Matilda and BFG.
Representation is also a very important for thing me. I feel there is a lack of stories, positive stories, featuring British Muslim characters and I think about my own kids a lot, and what I would love for them to see.
Sisters 360 explores sibling bonds and growing up—what inspired the story?
Actually, it was my mum in law who sent me a news article about three young sisters from Hull who skateboarded, and suggested that there might be a good play in it. So I owe it to her! I immediately liked the idea... just seeing three young muslim girls... each wearing their hijabs and looking cool as on the skateboard. I suggested it to Polka and then it grew from there. The story itself is fictional, but the three girls, Layna, Maysa & Amaya were the initial inspiration, and of course Olympic Medalist Sky Brown. Just having the characters ‘Fatima’ (British-Somali) and ‘Salima’ (British-Pakistani) on the stage, visibly muslim, on a skateboard, immediately breaks so many stereotypes. It’s rare to see two 10 year old hijab wearing muslim girls lead a play. They’re step-sisters from Bradford, determined to win the ‘Tiny is Mighty’ skateboarding competition. They love each other, they love skateboarding, rapping, YouTube-ing, and their parents are both madly in love with each other. Life is perfect. Until Fatima’s mum gets her dream job in London. That’s when things take a turn and despite all their efforts... the parents decide to separate... meaning Fatima will move to London with her mum and Salima will stay in Bradford with her dad. But the sisters are not ones to give up... they continue to practice... and they will do everything possible to ensure things go back to how they were. With the competition around the corner, the sisters make a magical discovery... and I’ll leave it there! It is a two-hander, comedy, full of fun, mischief, and lots of action.
What role did theatre play in your life growing up? Can you remember a show or drama lesson that really stuck with you?
Sadly, I rarely had the chance to go to a theatre. I think my earliest memory was going on a school trip to see Macbeth and Stig Of The Dump. But, performing at school always interested me, such as when we did our class assembly. I was painfully shy, and when I was 12, I remember everyone in our class had to prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation in-front of the class on a subject which interested us. I don’t think my teacher was expecting much from me, so he was very surprised when I asked him for a 30 minute slot! I ended up passionately investing lots of time preparing a presentation about Computer Games, which had the energy and vibe of a stand up comedy routine!
My dad watched a lot of comedy on the tele, especially all those classic sitcoms like: Fawlty Towers, Last Of The Summer Wine, Only Fools And Horses, Keeping Up Appearances etc. And naturally I also got into them. ‘Mr Bean’ was a favourite of mine and I think it was watching that, which made me think... ‘I’d love to entertain people like that’.
Later, when I started to become more serious about pursuing a career as an actor, I watched a solo show at a local theatre in Bradford (Theatre In The Mill). The show was called a ‘Conversation With A Cupboard Man’. The actor’s performance blew me away... his talent, commitment and transformation into many different characters. The whole audience was transfixed. It really taught me how powerful theatre can be.
What do you think young people might take away from being part of theatre, or experiencing it as an audience member?
As mentioned previously, to feel represented, seen, to feel included, to feel like there are stories about them, what they feel, experience and think. I hope when I create my work that young people are completely engrossed for the duration of the performance. I want them to laugh, to feel, to make them think. To have questions. And to want to return to the theatre again to watch more! It really delighted me to see my 8 year old watch the first preview of Sisters360 and see how fascinated he was, how many questions he had, how many references he recognised, as indeed I steal a lot from him! Also, how proudly he was telling everyone... ‘that’s my dad’s play!’. When he got home, he read the play... and was enjoying finding all the moments he had found funny.
Not every young person who goes to the theatre wants to pursue a career in the arts— what other skills do you think theatre gives them for life?
To empathise, to feel, to understand. There’s so much to learn in every play you see. Hopefully you can find escape and feel engrossed in somebody else’s world, the characters struggles, their desires, their dreams. And root for them. I think there is also something really beautiful about a group of people coming together, sitting together, to experience a new story. It’s a very human thing to tell stories and I believe we’ve been doing it from the beginning of time.
What advice would you give to a young person who’s just starting to explore performing, writing, or even just building confidence in front of others?
Just do it! Do lots of it. Don’t think too much.... Just do it. Don’t let anything hold you back... certainly not any lack of confidence you might have. Whether it leads to a professional career or not, you will gain a huge amount. And learn so many different skills, which can be applied to other aspects of your life. As well as developing a whole new level of confidence in yourself. Go explore what’s available at your local theatre or arts venue - there may be classes, workshops, courses, auditions. With writing, you can do it anywhere you want. At any time you want. Write about something which interests you, something you’re passionate about. Ask your family to read it... or even better... you read it or perform it to them!
Your characters are navigating change, identity, and relationships. What do you hope young audiences take away from Sisters 360?
In Sisters360, the two characters are dealing with their parents separating, going from a world where they have a perfect and happy family set up, to seeing and hearing their parents go through arguments and later separation. It’s really tough on them, and no doubt they’ll be kids watching who may have experienced something similar. I also hope that adults might appreciate the effect it can have on children. There’s many different themes explored within the piece, but ultimately, it’s just about two step sisters who love each other, want to stay together, and go after their dream together.
If a parent or guardian is reading this and thinking about taking their child to the theatre—why should they come and see Sisters 360 at Polka?
I would LOVE you to come and experience the play! It’s an hour long performance full of humour, fun, mischief and action!
FIND OUT MORE & BOOK: https://polkatheatre.com/event/sisters-360/
