Brown Boys Swim

Best friends Mohsen and Kash are gearing up for the biggest night of their lives – Jess Denver’s pool party. There’s just one problem…they can’t swim.

Fuelled by halal Haribo and chicken wings, the pair throw themselves in at the deep end, tackling cramped cubicles and cold showers as they learn how to be at one with the water.

Fierce, funny, and brimming with heart, Karim Khan examines the pressures faced by young Muslim men in this exhilarating new play about fitting in and striking out.

 

Production photos © Geraint Lewis

About the Writer

Karim Khan is an alumnus of The North Wall’s ArtsLab programme, having taken part in Catalyst 2019. He is a North Wall Propeller Artist 2021-2022 and is a recent recipient of Riz Ahmed’s Left Handed Films and Pillars Fund inaugural fellowship.

Awards

Brown Boys Swim was awarded a Fringe First from The Scotsman. Karim Khan was also awarded the prestigious BBC Popcorn New Writing Award.

Performance Dates

3-28 August 2022 // Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh
22-24 September 2022 // The North Wall, Oxford
26 September-15 October 2022 // Soho Theatre, London

Original production created with the generous support of Humphrey Battcock.

Reviews

"A fine piece of authentic storytelling."

The Guardian

"Karim Khan’s play is both delicate and fresh and...fully alive."

The Stage

"A runaway success"

WhatsOnStage

"Perfectly-pitched"

The Scotsman

"A moving, witty play"

Financial Times

Brown Boys Swim

Cast

Mohsen Anish Roy
Kash Varun Raj




Creative Team

Writer Karim Khan
Director John Hoggarth*
Set and Costume Designer James Button
Composer and Sound Designer
Roshan Gunga
Movement Director Sita Thomas
Lighting Designer James Bailey*
Assistant Director Amelia Thornber*

Producer Ria Parry*
Production Manager James Bailey*
Marketing Manager Amy Walters*
Associate Producer Amelia Thornber*
Press Representative
Chloé Nelkin Consulting
*on behalf of The North Wall

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