Manipulate Festival: Tell Me
The Scottish Premiere of Tell Me, a striking fusion of circus, dance and theatre from one of Scotland's most exciting young voices in contemporary performance comes to the Studio Theatre.
About Manipulate Festival: Tell Me
Following the sold-out success of The Chosen Haram in 2023 and fresh from a powerful turn at the Fringe, director and performer Sadiq Ali returns with a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant new work that continues his bold innovation in narrative-driven circus.
A striking fusion of circus, dance and theatre from one of Scotland’s most exciting young voices in contemporary performance.
The show blends cutting-edge physical performance with a deeply human story, offering audiences a fresh perspective on HIV. Using Chinese Pole and aerial artistry, including an innovative new multi-dimensional cube apparatus developed specially for the show, Tell Me follows one person’s journey of self-discovery after a life-changing diagnosis. At its core, it’s about connection: to self, to friends, to community. In the face of stigma and silence, the show becomes a powerful celebration of belonging, identity, and the strength that comes from being truly seen and accepted.
Drawing on Sadiq Ali’s own lived experience as a queer circus artist and HIV activist, the Scottish Premiere of Tell Me navigates themes of vulnerability, resilience, and acceptance, combining stunning physicality with raw emotional honesty.
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