Theatre Review - Women Who Blow on Knots
Women Who Blow on Knots [Kate Hockenhull Photography]
A BESTSELLER in Turkey, Ece Temelkuran’s 2013 novel Women Who Blow on Knots was published in English translation in 2017. I Interviewed Temelkuran when she was in London promoting her book and mentioned then its theatrical quality. So I’m delighted it has been adapted for the stage by Leyla Nazli, co-founder of the Arcola.
We follow three young women and the enigmatic Madam Lilla (Nicole Ansari-Cox) on a road trip from Tunisia to Lebanon, during the turmoil and euphoria of the Arab Spring.
The women first meet in Tunis. Amira (Antonia Salib) is a Tunisian dancer and activist, Maryam (Livia Arditti) an Egyptian academic passionate about Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Eve (Gamze Şanlı) a Turkish journalist.
When Lilla invites them to accompany her on a journey across the Middle East, they all agree for different reasons. Lilla’s own motivations only become clear when it is too late to turn back.
As they travel in a classic Cadillac, a one-eyed man (Öncel Camcı) at the wheel, they encounter various characters. The women gradually reveal their secrets and fears, while forging new friendships with each other.
Temelkuran explores the political ferment of the time, as well as celebrating the courage and resilience of outspoken Muslim women.
Nazli does a fine job of adapting this epic tale, distilling it down to two hours, and the tight, focused ensemble effortlessly draw us into the drama.
It’s a truly international collaboration, beautifully staged by Lerzan Pamir, aided by Öguz Kaplangi‘s atmospheric sound.
Until November 23