The Chosen Haram

Being queer and Muslim can make for a painful clash of identities.  In Australia this century some good exploratory reports, media and community and arts projects have shown pathways through such Islamic condemnation. 

British dancer Sadiq Ali draws on his own story and others he explored from gay Muslims, including slides into addiction, to make The Chosen Haram, currently at the Sydney Festival. “Haram” is anything forbidden by Islam. Even if it’s yourself!

This physical theatre tells an ostensibly simple story of two gay men who meet via an app, cautiously become sexual and then delighted lovers, before the Islamic faith of one makes him shrink into shame, and finally a drug fuelled psychosis.

With Hauk Pattison as the likely Scottish, bearded other man, in contrast to Ali’s controlled and well-dressed character, the two are at their best when swinging and entwining from two Chinese poles centre-stage.  Solos on the poles are less vivid. 

We see Ali’s uncertainty at prayer but it’s hard for dance or wordless circus to explore such greater complexities, and there are odd leaps in the storytelling dramaturgy.  Yet The Chosen Haram also sports some beautiful and witty choreography, as when the men negotiate first touching, and then so hilariously give a speedy circus version of sexual abandonment.  

Handfuls of white shavings add further playful movement, and later suggest the drugs which on the dance floor at first so wonderfully liberates Ali in heart and body.

His sudden deterioration seems inexplicable.  The Chosen Haram leaves you wanting more detail and physical exploration of the story. 

Martin Portus

Photographer: Wendell Teoforo