Bibi Rukiya's Reckless Daughter

She bemoans her mother for trapping her in cultural constraints dictated by men…why is she exercising their will?

A new dance-theatre production from choreographer Amina Khayyam explores conditioned patriarchy enforced by women.

Set in contemporary inner-city marginalised migrant communities, and loosely based on Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, the story follows Bibi Rukiya, a widow who confines​ her three daughters in response to societal pressure to protect her family’s reputation and secure their marriages. Her daughters react in different ways - one of them, driven by her own aspirations, challenges her mother’s motives and role as a woman.

Presented by Amina Khayyam Dance Company

A critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning touring company, and nominated for the National Dance Awards 2022, the Amina Khayyam Dance Company (AKDC) makes new work using the South Asian dance Kathak as the core narrative. It works in collaboration with those who are culturally least engaged, economically challenged and societally disenfranchised - with a focus on the marginalised female voice. The Company adds theatre, live art, and technology, striving to make relevant, engaging work through a process of collaboration, participation, exploration, and opportunities for creative and cultural expression- shaping a process that empowers women creatively as stakeholders. The work’s dramaturgy is explored through the sub-culture context of this process, and made to transpose to the mainstream audience, so that the targeted sector’s perspective, aspiration and voice is heard widely.

Supported by the Arts Council of England as an NPO, the Company, since its formation in 2013 has made 18 pieces of work, performed over 225 shows in over 50 venues (incl outdoors) & digital platforms, nationally and internationally.