Sara Shaarawi Explained

Sara Shaarawi (born 1989) is an Egyptian playwright and producer. She is chiefly known for her work in Scottish Theatre.[1]

Early life

Shaarawi was born in 1989, raised in Cairo and settled in Scotland after studying there.

Career

While at the University of Edinburgh in 2011 Shaarawi began working with David Greig on a series of Arab plays to be performed at Oran Mor as part of an Arab Spring season.[2] The experience launched her into Scottish theatre and her first play, Niqabi Ninja, was shared as a work in progress at the Tron Theatre in 2014 and Platform in 2015.[3] Niqabi Ninja has since been performed in Germany and South Africa.[4] A full production is planned for the UK.

Other work for theatre has included Leyla, performed at the Tron Theatre in 2017[5] and Lifted, with her co-writer Henry Bell, which appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015 and 2016.[6]

Shaarawi is the recipient of a New Playwright's Award from Playwright's Studio[7] and the Starter Programme from the National Theatre of Scotland.[8] Other projects include a Cairene adaptation of Alasdair Gray's 1982, Janine with Henry Bell.[9] The play Haneen had a rehearsal reading in Egypt.[10]

As a producer Shaarawi is known for her work with the Arab Arts Focus, both in organising the largest Arab Arts Festival to come to the Edinburgh Fringe,[11] and as the host of its nightly cabaret, Chill Habibi.[12] Shaarawi is a founder member of The Workers Theatre,[13] and produces Megaphone, a crowdfunded residency for artists of colour in Scotland.[14]

In 2017 Shaarawi, was ranked 43rd in The List Hot 100.[15]

Personal life

Shaarawi lives in Glasgow, Scotland.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Playwrights' Studio, Scotland Playwrights. www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk. en. 2017-09-27.
  2. News: Sara Shaarawi introduces Megaphone - Theatre - The Skinny. 2017-09-27. en.
  3. Web site: Playwrights' Studio, Scotland Playwrights. www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk. en. 2017-09-27.
  4. News: Avenging superhero Niqabi Ninja flexes muscles Cape Times. 2017-09-27. en.
  5. Web site: Scenes Unseen Rehearsed Readings. allevents.in. en. 2017-09-27.
  6. Web site: Lifted – Fringebiscuit. fringebiscuit.co.uk. en-US. 2017-09-27.
  7. Web site: Playwrights' Studio, Scotland Programmes. www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk. en. 2017-09-27.
  8. News: Introducing our Starter Artists. @stylehatch. Style Hatch - http://stylehatch.co . National Theatre of Scotland blog. 2017-09-27.
  9. Web site: New play based on Alasdair Gray novel among project backed by Creative Scotland. HeraldScotland. en. 2017-09-27.
  10. Web site: From Janine to Haneen: an Egyptian adaptation of Alasdair Gray's novel. www.the-tls.co.uk. en-GB. 2017-09-27.
  11. News: Arab arts showcase at Edinburgh fringe beset by visa difficulties. Ellis-Petersen. Hannah. 2017-08-17. The Guardian. 2017-09-27. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  12. News: Edinburgh Festival, review, Chill Habibi: A great evening's entertainment. 2017-08-21. The Independent. 2017-09-27. en-GB.
  13. News: Megaphone project launches to promote black artists in Scotland News The Stage. 2017-03-13. The Stage. 2017-09-27. en-US.
  14. Web site: Arts News: Scottish-Egyptian playwright launches anti-Racist kickstarter, Scots in Romantic Novel Awards, new show at GSA. Evening Times. en. 2017-09-27.
  15. Web site: The Hot 100 2017: 50–41 – Bloody Scotland, Karen Gillan, Alasdair Roberts and Edinburgh International Film Festival among our favourite cultural contributors this year The List. www.list.co.uk. en-GB. 2017-11-02.
  16. News: Getting to 'ken' Scotland: Italian-Egyptian playwright Sara Shaarawi on her Scots contribution to this year's Fringe. 2015-08-04. CommonSpace. 2017-09-27. en.

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