“Performing arts is so under-used in both the Muslim and non-Muslim world. Creativity should transgress race, religion and class”.
“Performing arts is so under-used in both the Muslim and non-Muslim world. Creativity should transgress race, religion and class”.
Back for the third year running with the UK’s only Muslim pantomime, this festive season the humanitarian charity Penny Appeal is presenting a Super Hero pantomime by Muslims. The Great Muslim Panto is premiering its 2019 show Super Souls, and is coming to seven UK cities from the 4th of December.
The pantomime is created fully by the Once Upon a Family theatre production company, a Muslim family cast of seven. This year they are gracing the stage with internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Faisal Salah, renowned polymath and creative powerhouse Hassen Rasool, and comedic YouTube sensation who has generated over a million online views, SMASHBengali.
The story revolves around the strength and power that lies within each and every one of us – that even when we feel most powerless, all it takes is a good intention and a little nudge in the right direction. The story showcases three individuals with visual, hearing, and speech impediments, and the narrative dispels the myth that having a disability or simply being different means we can’t achieve greatness.
Emphasising the simple fact that each person is different in one way or another, be it race, religion or ability, the show reminds us that this can be used as a reason for unity, rather than division. The show is a fun reinvention of the classic panto, while keeping the much-loved elements of slapstick comedy, crazy costumes, and silly songs.
Anisa, the mother of the Once Upon a Family theatre company, stated:
Performing arts is so under-used in both the Muslim and non-Muslim world. Creativity should transgress race, religion and class. Super Souls aims to highlight that no matter how societal norms may perceive you as ‘lesser than’, we all have our own, indisputable strengths.”
From the 4th to the 22nd of December, Super Souls is being performed in aid of Penny Appeal’s Winter Emergency appeal, which supports communities all over the globe with winter essentials, such as food, warm clothing, blankets and vital shelter repairs. As always, charity begins at home, so this year Penny Appeal is also helping the less fortunate right here in the UK beat the bitter cold by providing these simple gifts of warmth and care.
The Great Muslim Pantomime’s debut tour in 2017 sold out in just two weeks and 2018’s performance proved to be just as popular. Tickets are available with the Early Bird offer of just £5 by clicking here.
Here is a full list of all the tour dates and venues:
4th December 2019 – London – Stoke Newington Town Hall, Stoke Newington, N16 0JR
5th December 2019 – Walsall – Walsall Football Club, The Bank’s Stadium, Bescot Crescent, WS1 4SA
6th December 2019 – Leicester – Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown Street, LE1 5TE
8th December 2019 – London – The Old Town Hall, 29 Broadway, E15 4BQ
12th December 2019 – Glasgow – Woodside Hall, 36 Glenfarg Street, G20 7QE
14th December 2019 – Manchester – The Maxwell Hall, Salford University, M5 4WT
15th December 2019 – Birmingham – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, 200 Jennens Road, B4 7XR
18th December 2019 – London – The Ryan Theatre, Harrow School, HA1 3EJ
21st December 2019 – Bradford – Kala Sangam, St Peter’s House, BD1 4TY
22nd December 2019 – Bradford – Kala Sangam, St Peter’s House, BD1 4TY
To find out more information about Penny Appeal or the Super Souls, click here!
