Child of The Divide at Big Imaginations Festival
Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Follow the story of Hindu boy Pali whose hand slips from his father’s during the chaos of Partition and life changes as he is welcomed into a new reality and Muslim family. Aimed at ages eight and above, Child of the Divide is a searing and relevant tale of identity, belonging, friendship, love and loss.
Expect to grip the edges of your seats and experience all the emotions throughout this North West premiere marking the 70th anniversary of the Partition which left millions displaced and divided while the separate countries of Pakistan and India were formed.
Encounter the complexities that Pali and his young friends have to deal with through the local bully who has been witness to his father committing atrocities against others, the girl who is half Hindu and half Muslim and part of neither community and those who have been forced to keep secrets and retreat into themselves as protection.
This show has been critically acclaimed for dealing with complex topic of the human story of the tragic events of political decisions – so relevant to the humanitarian crises today. It’s about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, kindness and humanity amidst enforced separation.
Child of The Divide shows how powerful family theatre experiences can be when young audiences are treated to the same quality of stimulating theatre that adults are. There are not many children’s theatre shows where you can expect your heart strings to be tugged while your head stimulated.
It’s an important play with so much relevance to not only our understanding of history but our multi-faith societies and blended and diverse family experiences today. Don’t miss it.
Child of The Divide is part of the Big Imaginations Festival which brings 9 remarkable shows to 26 venues across the North this autumn. Also see it at Burnley Youth Theatre on 21 October, The Boo on 22 October, The Edge on 24 October and Unity Theatre on 25 October.
