Sadiq Ali Company's 'Tell Me' Presents Powerful Dance Narrative on 80s Aids Crisis
The Sadiq Ali Company has unveiled its latest production, Tell Me, at The Place in London, delivering a deeply moving exploration of the 1980s Aids epidemic through the medium of contemporary dance and circus theatre. This intimate performance tackles themes of diagnosis, stigma, and human resilience with remarkable emotional depth.
Personal Connection to Historical Trauma
In the programme notes for Tell Me, creator Sadiq Ali reveals a profound personal connection to the subject matter. He notes that 2025 would have been the year he might have been expected to succumb to Aids-related complications, were it not for medical advancements that have transformed HIV from a death sentence to a manageable condition. Instead, Ali appears on stage as a picture of strength and vitality, his muscular physique evident as he winds himself around Chinese poles with impressive athleticism.
Ali's artistic trajectory continues to ascend following the critical success of his previous work, The Chosen Haram, which earned numerous five-star reviews. The official launch of his dedicated circus and theatre company marks a significant milestone in his career, with Tell Me representing a bold new direction in his creative output.
Narrative Focus and Staging Innovation
Rather than placing himself at the centre of the narrative, Ali has crafted Tell Me around protagonist Phoebe Knight, who portrays a woman navigating an HIV diagnosis. She is joined by Ali and performer Jonah Russell in a production that skillfully blends physical theatre with emotional storytelling. The innovative set design features cube-shaped frames that serve multiple purposes as poles and trapezes, creating a versatile performance space that enhances the narrative's emotional impact.
The production transports audiences back to the 1980s through a synth-heavy soundtrack that evokes the era's particular atmosphere of fear and misunderstanding. As Aids emerged as a public health crisis, those diagnosed faced heartbreaking rejection from friends and family, a reality the performance captures with painful authenticity.
Evolution from Outdoor to Indoor Performance
Originally conceived as an outdoor performance that premiered at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival last year, Tell Me has been reimagined for the black box theatre environment of The Place. This transition has allowed for a darker, more intense atmosphere that amplifies the production's emotional weight. The confined space creates a sense of intimacy that draws audiences deeper into the characters' experiences.
Theatrical Elements and Symbolic Imagery
The first half of the performance demonstrates exceptional theatrical craftsmanship, with music, sound design, text, and movement working in harmony to delineate the narrative clearly. Friendship, revelry, nightlife, and sexual relationships are expressed through dynamic movement across the floor and vertical ascents up the poles.
As the narrative progresses into more psychologically complex territory, the production introduces symbolic imagery including a devilish minotaur creature, with Ali appearing in horns and knee-high PVC heelless platforms. This section represents characters confronting their inner demons, though some may find the pacing plateaus slightly during these more abstract sequences.
Themes of Connection Rather Than Triumph
Tell Me distinguishes itself by avoiding simplistic narratives of triumph or transcendence. Instead, the production focuses on more nuanced themes of love, support, and acceptance in the face of adversity. Poignant intimate moments between characters create emotional resonance that lingers long after the performance concludes.
The production represents a well-crafted piece of theatre that demonstrates Ali's growing maturity as a creator. Following its London run, Tell Me will travel to the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing on 6 February before appearing at the Edinburgh Studio Theatre on 9-10 February, offering audiences across the UK the opportunity to experience this powerful work.
