Set in a post 9/11 America where many Americans view Muslim women as oppressed or associated with terrorism Dirty Paki Lingerie, written and performed by Aizzah Fatima and Directed by Erica Gould, bares open the lives of six Pakistani-American Muslim Women as they air their dirty lingerie.

Through the lives of six everyday Pakistani-Muslim women, this solo show takes an intimate, funny and revelatory look at their lives, their fears, and their conundrums be it cultural or sexual. Based on real stories, real people and verbatim experiences Dirty Paki Lingerie offers a powerful peak into the lives of the, often misunderstood, Pakistani-American woman’s struggle to find her place in society whilst straddling two very different cultures.

Dirty Paki Lingerie addresses many of the concerns that immigrant and second-generation women usually encounter. Whether it is the young Pakistani girl arrived fresh in America looking for a handsome doctor to marry, or the betrothed feminist Muslim hoping her best friend can attend her wedding even though her husband-to-be has forbidden it. Then there is six-year old Zahra who loves Dora the Explorer yet cannot figure out why her classmates refer to her as a “terra-mist” (terrorist). We also meet socially-awkward Ameera who is trying online dating; smile at sixty-five year old Asma who is determined to find a potential suitor for her daughter in the matrimonial section of Urdu Times newspaper, and weep for Lubna, a 50-year-old soon-to-be divorced wife as she strikes out for independence.

Of her inspiration playwright, and performer Aizzah Fatima says "I started writing this show after waking up one day shocked to realize that parts of the country I call home had developed virulent Islamophobic sentiment. A country that was founded on freedom of religion now had organized opposition and violent acts beings committed to prevent the building of mosques. By showing a different side of the Pakistani-American community, I wanted to show people that Muslims are just like everyone else”.

Dirty Paki Lingerie makes its UK premiere at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Assembly Hall – Baillie Room 1– 27th August 2012

Time:

17:15.18:15pm (60mins)