ASIF
KHAN
Actor | Playwright | AIK productions
AIK Productions is an award winning theatre making company founded by Asif Khan in 2015.
AIK aim to produce new, high quality theatre, specialising in stories and voices from minority backgrounds.
It's first production in 2015 was LOVE, BOMBS & APPLES by award-winning playwright Hassan Abdulrazzak. A one-man show, which takes audiences on a journey through four different stories, laden with cultural comment, explored through humour.
It had a sold out run at the Arcola Theatre as part of the Shubbak Arab Arts Festival in 2015.
The show returned in 2016 for 4 weeks at the Arcola Theatre alongside a UK tour to: Northern Stage (Newcastle), Mercury Theatre (Colchester), Printers Playhouse (Eastbourne), Attenborough Arts Centre (Leicester), Cast (Doncaster), York Theatre Royal (York), Theatre in the Mill (Bradford), Oldham Coliseum (Oldham), Kinara Festival (Ace Centre, Nelson), Arabica Arts Festival (Liverpool).
It again returned in 2017 to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Summerhall and made its US Debut in 2018.
It was nominated for BEST STAGE PRODUCTION at the ASIAN MEDIA AWARDS 2016 and as a finalist for BEST STAGE PRODUCTION at EASTERN EYE ARTS, CULTURE & THEATRE AWARDS 2017. It won OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION at the Theatre Bay Area Awards 2018 for it's US Debut.
In 2017, AIK Productions co-produced COMBUSTION (details below) with Tara Arts.
in 2021, AIK Productions premiered JABALA AND THE JINN at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (details below). Co-produced with Turtle Key Arts.
In 2022, JABALA AND THE JINN UK Tour, including Kala Sangam (Bradford) and Lyric Hammersmith (London).
In 2025, SISTERS 360, coming to Polka Theatre and Leeds Playhouse.
We have been kindly supported by The Carne Trust & The Iraqi Cultural Centre
AIK PRODUCTIONS
COMBUSTION by Asif Khan
AIK Productions in association with Tara Arts
Bradford, in the month of Ramadan. Latching on to the latest grooming scandal, racists plan to march through the city, while Shaz, a local garage mechanic, desperately tries to keep his business running smoothly so he can marry well. In this combustible atmosphere, his sister Samina is determined to make her voice heard.
Bradford-born Asif Khan’s debut play is a comic take on the combustion surrounding young British Muslim lives in the North today.
TOURED May - July 2017
Wed 17 to Sat 27 May, 7.30pm
TARA THEATRE
356 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London SW18 4ES
Box Office: 020 8333 4457
Tues 30 May to Sat 24 June
ARCOLA THEATRE
24 Ashwin Street, London, E8 3DL
Box Office: 020 7503 1645
Tues 27 June, 7.30pm
NORWICH ARTS CENTRE
51 St Benedict's Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG
Box Office: 01603 660 352
Thurs 29 & Fri 30 June, Thurs 7pm & Fri 2pm
RADA FESTIVAL, Gielgud Theatre
18-22 Chenies Street, London, WC1E 7PA
Box Office: 020 7636 7076
Sun 2 July, 7.30pm
THEATRE ROYAL MARGATE
Addington Street, Margate, CT9 1PW
Box Office: 01843 292 795
Tues 4 July, 7.30pm
QUEEN'S HALL ARTS
Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS
Box Office: 01434 652477
Thurs 6 July, 7.30pm
THE CUSTOMS HOUSE
Mill Dam South Shields, NE33 1ES
Box Office: 0191 454 1234
Fri 7 July, 7.30pm
BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL
The Alhambra Studio
Box Office: 01274 233 185
Writer & Co-Producer: Asif Khan
Co-Producer: Jonathan Kennedy (Tara Arts)
Director: Nona Shepphard
Designer: Mila Sanders
Composer: James Hesford
Lighting: Andy Grange
Cast: Beruce Khan, Rez Kempton, Mitesh Soni, Shireen Farkhoy, Nigel Hastings
SUPPORTED BY ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND AND THE CARNE TRUST
Photography by Talula Sheppard
“★★★★ A brave, important and necessary play... If I were running the National, I’d pick up this play pronto to ensure it’s amplified further.”
—The Telegraph
“★★★★ [Asif Khan's] debut outing as a playwright is impressive, bringing clarity and humour to dark and difficult material.”
—The Stage
“★★★★ A triumph: a savagely funny, thought-provoking piece, which lingers long in the memory.”
—The Peg
“★★★★ Asif Khan will be familiar to London audiences primarily as an actor, but in Combustion, he proves to be as adept a playwright as a performer.”
—LondonTheatre1
“★★★★★ Pure magic.”
—Hiive
“Troubling, insightful and heart-warming ... The staging is exceptional ... A stunning performance from Shireen Farkhoy”
—Everything Theatre
'I’m sick of having to convince non-Muslims I’m not a f**king terrorist', is just one of several pertinent lines in Asif Khan’s lively new work about young Muslims in contemporary Bradford'' - Evening Standard
A delightfully entertaining, moving and uplifting story - A Younger Theatre
Khan’s writing is funny and often sharp in a play which faces the issues head-on. - Traffic Light Theatre
COMBUSTION - WINNER of BEST STAGE PRODUCTION at the Asian Media Awards 2017.
COMBUSTION - WINNER of BEST PRODUCTION at EASTERN EYE ARTS, CULTURE & THEATRE AWARDS 2018
COMBUSTION - Nominated for Two OFFWESTEND Awards inc BEST NEW PLAY & MALE PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE.
COMBUSTION - Nominated for a STAGE DEBUT AWARD 2017 for Best Writer.
COMBUSTION - Nominated as a Finalist for Best Poster Design at Theatre & Technology Awards 2017.
JABALA AND THE JINN
A new play for children and families
Written by Asif Khan
Produced by Turtle Key Arts and AIK productions
Directed by Rosamunde Hutt
Premiered at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry as an ONLINE SCREENING.
WEDS 31 MAR TO SAT 24 APRIL 2021.
Toured to venues in 2022, including: Kala Sangam (Bradford) & Lyric Hammersmith (London).
WINNER for BEST SCRIPTWRITER at the EASTERN EYE ARTS, CULTURE AND THEATRE AWARDS 2022.
FINALIST for BEST STAGE PRODUCTION at the ASIAN MEDIA AWARDS 2021.
We’re in Bradford.
It’s been a few months since Jabala’s beloved Mum died. Dad is a brilliant father, but it’s an effort to get to school on time every day. One morning, when she says goodbye to her house as usual, Jabala hears a voice replying to her in Arabic. But no one’s there. Could it be Mum? Has she imagined it?
With the help of a ‘Refugee Boy’ at school, a Shakespeare enthusiast called Munir, she summons... a Jinn. But this is no ordinary ‘Jinn’, as told in grandma’s stories and Jabala is in for a surprise.
As the day of Eid approaches, events take a drastic turn and Jabala is forced to make some difficult decisions.
Will things come together in time for the celebration?
Using physical theatre, original music and vivid design, this new play by award winning writer Asif Khan is a funny and endearing story for the whole family.
The development of the play has been supported by Stratford Circus, Kala Sangam & The AMAL Foundation.
“★★★★ A hugely likeable and engaging play that will delight both children and adults. A perfect family watch.”
Beyond The Curtain
“★★★★★ Asif Khan has written a marvellous play celebrating Arabic culture, family and children's theatre on stage.”
West End Best Friend
“Asif Khan's well-written play draws the audience in with this charming adventurous tale, both children and adults alike will be captivated by this heart-warming story.”
West End Best Friend
“a piece of drama which explores complex themes of growing up, honesty, and friendship. A lovely, multi-layered performance.”
Lou Reviews
“This production had me hooked from the get-go. I loved it.” Beyond The Curtain
“Bursting with energy…fresh and fast-moving”
British Theatre Guide
“there is lots of humour in Jabala and the Jinn but wrapped up in the fun are lots of messages around acceptance, love, friendship and difference.”
Weekend Notes
“Fun, charming and thoughtful”
BrumHour
Writer & Co-Producer: Asif Khan
Co-Producer: Charlotte Cunningham (Turtle Key Arts)
Director: Rosamunde Hutt
Designer: Mila Sanders
Composer: James Hesford
Lighting: Aideen Malone
Illustration: Nadine Kadaan
Cast (Belgrade Theatre Premiere, 2021):
NATALIE DAVIES- Jabala
SAFIYYA INGAR- Jinn
JAY VARSANI- Munir & Dad
Cast (Tour 2022):
NATALIE DAVIES- Jabala
SARA MAZZANTI - Jinn
RIAD RICHIE - Munir & Dad
ANSHULA BAIN - Understudy (Jabala)
Photos by Mila Sanders (2021)
TOUR DATES 2022:
BRADFORD
Kala Sangam
Sat 19 – Sun 20 Feb 11am & 2pm
01274 303 340
kalasangam.org
BIRMINGHAM
Midlands Art Centre
Sat 26 – Sun 27 Feb 2pm
0121 446 3232
macbirmingham.co.uk
WOLVERHAMPTON
Arena Theatre
Sat 12 March 2pm
Sun 13 March 11am and 2pm
01902 321 321
arena.wlv.ac.uk
LONDON
artsdepot
Sun 20 March 12pm & 3pm
020 8369 5454
artsdepot.co.uk
LONDON
The Studio, Lyric Hammersmith
Sat 2 – Sat 9 April 11am and 1pm
020 8741 6850
lyric.co.uk
POOLE
Lighthouse
Tues 12 April 11am and 2pm
01202 280000
lighthousepoole.co.uk
EXETER
Phoenix
Tues 19 Apr 11am and 2pm
01392667080
exeterphoenix.org.uk
IPSWICH
New Wolsey Theatre
Fri 22 April 2pm
01473 295900
wolseytheatre.co.uk
This film gives a glimpse of development process (2019) for 'Jabala and the Jinn'. The writer, director and actors talk about the story, characters and why this new piece is important today.
