Women Who Blow On Knots at Arcola Theatre

Arcola Theatre presents Ece Temelkuran's

Women Who Blow On Knots

Adapted by Leyla Nazli

Directed by Lerzan Pamir

“What is a revolution if you can’t dance!”

Arcola’s co-founder Leyla Nazli (Mare Rider) adapts Ece Temelkuran’s celebrated novel Women Who Blow on Knots for the stage, presenting a powerful tale of freedom, resilience, and unbreakable female friendships.

Set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, we follow the journey of four remarkable women on a road trip starting from Tunisia through Libya and Egypt to Lebanon. Madame Lilla, a mysterious and glamorous chameleon, takes charge and leads revolutionaries Maryam and Amira; and Eve, a Turkish journalist, headfirst through an adventurous journey that changes the course of their lives.

As they traverse North Africa to the Middle East in a classic Cadillac, these women confront their pasts and form indestructible bonds, undeterred by the socio-political turmoil around them. This powerful adaptation celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who dare to unravel the knots of their destinies and weave new futures.

Ece Temelkuran is a Turkish journalist and political commentator, and author of How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship. Her novel Women Who Blow On Knots is a phenomenon in Turkey, with more than 120,000 copies sold.

Leyla Nazli’s previous work at Arcola: Mare Rider (2013); Silver Birch House (2007). Leyla is Executive Producer and co-founder of Arcola Theatre.

Lerzan Pamir’s previous work at Arcola: Dark Vanilla Jungle (2015); When the Bulbul Stopped Singing (2013).