Khayaal Theatre

18/08/2026

🎭 KHAYAAL DRAMA ACADEMY — SEPTEMBER PLACES NOW OPEN!
Does your child love stories, performing, creating characters and using their imagination? Or would they benefit from developing greater confidence, creativity, communication skills and new friendships?
Khayaal Theatre Company’s Drama Academy offers children and young people a welcoming, creative space in which to learn drama skills, explore great stories from Muslim heritage and beyond, work as an ensemble and have lots of fun along the way.
Through drama games, storytelling, improvisation, role-play, character work and performance, our experienced theatre practitioners help young people to:
✨ Grow in confidence and self-expression
🎭 Develop acting and performance skills
💡 Exercise their imagination and creativity
🤝 Build friendships and teamwork
📖 Discover inspiring stories, characters and values from Muslim heritage
🌱 Develop character, communication and collaborative skills
SEPTEMBER 2026 – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE
📍 WIMBLEDON | SW LONDON
Monthly Tuesday sessions • Ages 6–12
📍 HARLESDEN | NW LONDON
Monthly Sunday sessions • Separate groups for ages 5–7 and 8–11
📍 LUTON
Fortnightly Saturday sessions for ages 3–5
Plus monthly sessions for girls aged 11–16
Our academies are designed to be enjoyable and enriching whether your child is a natural performer or is taking their very first steps into drama.
Places are limited, so families interested in joining us from September are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
👉 REGISTER YOUR INTEREST:
https://www.khayaal.co.uk/drama-academy-form
Please share with families who may be interested.

We are currently delivering drama academy sessions in Luton, Cambridge, Wimbledon and from 21st June 2026 at Rumi’s Cave in NW London as follows:

28/07/2026

🌿✨ A Weekend of Stories Beneath the Trees ✨🌿
Over the weekend, we had the joy of sharing collections of
Muslim Heritage Stories with wonderfully culturally and generationally diverse audiences in Birmingham, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of nature. Through tales inspired by Rumi, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Palestine and the ever-popular Mulla Nasruddin, we explored the timeless themes of beauty, knowledge and love. 🌳📖💚
On Saturday afternoon, we joined celebrations marking the centenary of our host Gillian's home in Edgbaston. Performing in the shade of a charming garden, we shared stories of wisdom, wonder and wit with an overwhelmingly secular, predominantly White British audience. Our brief was to focus on ancient wisdom and shared humanitarian values—and what followed was a truly memorable afternoon.
Seated in an intimate arc beneath the trees, the audience immersed themselves in stories that celebrated the heart, the imagination and our relationship with the natural world. 🌿✨ The thoughtful conversations afterwards ranged across listening, community, storytelling, light, imagination, the heart and our communion with nature.
On Sunday evening, we travelled to the Ahmed family's breathtaking Beacon Valley haven of peace for an outdoor performance attended by a predominantly Muslim audience from across Birmingham. As the sun softened over the valley, stories unfolded amidst trees, birdsong and lush greenery, creating a magical setting that perfectly complemented the tales. 🌅🍃
Even as gusts of wind, light rain and a falling temperature reminded us that we were in the embrace of the British countryside, the audience remained fully engaged. The evening concluded with an inspiring conversation exploring storytelling, oral and written traditions, ethics, spirituality, symbolism, culture and much more. 💫
A heartfelt thank you to Gillian, the Ahmed family, the Shah family and everyone who joined us for two unforgettable gatherings. It was a wonderful reminder that, wherever we come from, stories have an extraordinary power to bring people together across generations, cultures and worldviews. ❤️🎭

This was 31-32 of 60 events we’ll be delivering nationally this year, inshaa'Allah, as part of our Theatre-without-Walls project — supported by Khayaal Friends, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Amal. Photos: M Yusef Ali.

23/07/2026

✨🎭
When you're busy researching, creating and touring, social media is often the first thing to fall behind! So here's a snapshot of what we've been up to over the past few weeks…
📅 5 July – Welwyn Garden City
We staged Miracles in the Desert: A Story of the Hijrah for 60 pupils aged 5–16 and their teachers at Al-Ansaar Supplementary School.
💬 "Such an amazing performance – the children loved it and said you were amazing! The set-up was incredible!" – Al-Ansaar
📅 12 July – Solihull
For the third time in four years, we were delighted to contribute to Deen Central – The Hub's end-of-year celebrations. We presented two age-specific collections of Muslim Heritage Stories from , , , and , exploring the timely theme of the power – and pitfalls – of the tongue with children aged 4–16. We rounded off the day with an immersive drama workshop for 25 children aged 7–11. 🎭 We were so chuffed that the new imam at The Hub loved our stories and suggested that we train imams in storytelling.
💬 "We absolutely loved your visit. The performances were spectacular. Even one of our more traditional teachers, who admitted he wasn't looking forward to the theatricals, thoroughly enjoyed it!" – The Hub
📅 15 July – Cambridge
We delivered three age-specific storytelling and drama workshops for 35 children aged 3–15 with our long-standing partner The Learning Tree, exploring wisdom tales from Malaysia, Türkiye and Egypt. This marked our 43rd day of workshops with this wonderful organisation. 🌍📖
📅 18 July – Luton
A special milestone! 🎉 We delivered the 50th workshop for our mothers-and-children storytelling club (ages 3–6), exploring The Muddy Masjid, Khayaal's original story inspired by the annual re-plastering of the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali. 🇲🇱
One message from a parent particularly touched our hearts:
💬 "Zak's dream is to become an author and illustrator... your wonderful sessions have played a big part in his love of stories and storytelling. MashaAllah. Thank you so much for 50 sessions!" – Participating Mother ❤️
📅 19 July – Harlesden, North West London
We completed the second of two pilot drama workshops for children aged 5–7 and 8–11 at Rumi's Cave exploring stories from Pakistan and Rumi, continuing our exploration of creative storytelling with young people.
🙏 Our heartfelt thanks to all of our hosts and partners — Tayaba, Adeeba, Anissa, Afifa, Nazra and Zahra — for their warm hospitality and generous support, and to every child, parent, teacher and community member who joined us. Your enthusiasm, imagination and encouragement continue to inspire our work.
Off to Birmingham this weekend! 🌟🎭📚

This was 25-30 of 60 events we’ll be delivering nationally this year, inshaa'Allah, as part of our Theatre-without-Walls project — supported by Khayaal Friends, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Amal.

04/07/2026

Muslim Heritage Tales: Knowledge, Beauty and Love
Beacon Valley, Birmingham B45 9XL
Sun 26 July 16:00-18:00
https://buytickets.at/beaconvalley/2294209/share/027064430b9a7b6c0151f8c478dddc1b

Join us for an enchanting collection of tales of wisdom, wonder and humour on themes of knowledge, beauty and love from Muslim cultures: Uzbekistan, Jalaluddin Rumi, Palestine and India. Performed by Eleanor Martin, this storytelling theatre experience for family audiences (ages 7+) captures imaginations and nourishes hearts. A post-performance Q&A conversation with Khayaal directors will follow.

Worth of a Pearl
A king devises a test of loyalty and devotion for select high-ranking officials of his royal court involving a lustrous pearl. A tale by Rumi.

Quest for Knowledge
On applying to become a student of a sage, a youth finds himself summarily charged with a seemingly simple task. The task becomes a toilsome trial of initiation that profoundly transforms his perception of what it means to learn and know. A tale from Khwajah Samassi of Uzbekistan.

The Artists
A queen decrees that two artists will wage beauty to determine whose work of art will win the hearts of her people. A contest ensues that re-defines the very nature of art. A tale by Rumi.

A Promise Fulfilled
Cast out for yielding to compassion, Hassan bereft and bedraggled is befriended by another homeless boy whose resolve and knowledge of signs and metaphors opens doors to fortune and fulfilment. A folktale from Palestine.

Khayaal Theatre: Tales of Beauty, Knowledge and Love from Uzbekistan, India, Konya & Palestine – Beacon Valley, Sun 26 Jul 2026 - Join multi award-winning theatre Company, Khayaal Theatre for an evening of enchanting Tales of Wisdom, Wonder and Humour.

18/06/2026

Glimpses of our Eid Stories series of performances in partnership with The National Trust in the 16th century Stabled Walled Garden at Osterley Park and House on Sunday 7th June 2026 as part of the annual Eid Festival. Eleanor Martin, Mohammed Sesay and Junayd of Islam shared tales of wisdom, wonder and humour with diverse audiences from and beyond. Huge thanks to Sadia and Matthew for their warm and supportive partnership and hospitality.

This was 17 of 60 events we’ll be delivering nationally this year, inshaa'Allah, as part of our Theatre-without-Walls project — supported by Khayaal Friends, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Amal. Photos: Yusef Ali.

18/06/2026

*Capturing Imaginations: An Inspiring Evening With Luqman Ali (co-founder of Khayaal Theatre)*

For over 25 years, Khayaal has used the power of storytelling to bring classic Muslim literature, wisdom tales and global cultural traditions to life, creating spaces for reflection, connection and deeper understanding.

Luqman’s work spans languages, literature, humanitarian service, theatre and interfaith engagement. From supporting displaced communities to sharing stories on stages such as Shakespeare’s Globe and The British Museum, his journey is a powerful reminder of how creativity and faith can inspire change.

Come through for an evening of wisdom, story and inspiration.

🗓️ *Friday 26th June 2026*
⏰ *7:30PM to 8:30PM*
📍 *Higher Ground, 63 Inkerman St, Luton, LU1 1JD*

Bring a friend and join us for an evening of stories and inspiration!

05/06/2026

🌿🌞 Eid Stories at Osterley Park 🌞🌿
📍 Stabled Walled Garden, Osterley Park, West London
🚇 Nearest Tube: Osterley (Piccadilly Line)
📅 Sunday 7th June
⏰ 12:30pm – 7:00pm
We're delighted to invite families (ages 7+), friends and story lovers to join us this Sunday for a magical afternoon of open-air storytelling theatre in the beautiful surroundings of Osterley Park. 🌳✨
In partnership with The National Trust, our talented trio of storytellers — Eleanor Martin, Mohammed Sesay and Junayd of Islam — will be sharing enchanting tales of wisdom, wonder and wit from across the Muslim world, with performances taking place every half hour throughout the day. 🎭📖
🌙 Journey through stories drawn from the rich cultural heritage of:
🇾🇪 | 🇹🇿 | 🇲🇦 | 🇮🇷 | | | and beyond.
Whether you're discovering our stories for the first time or returning as a familiar friend, come and enjoy an afternoon of imagination, laughter, reflection and inspiration in one of London's most beautiful green spaces. 🌸🌳💫
🎟️ Tickets & Information:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/osterley-park-and-house/events/ef93c5c3-1e02-4300-b736-44e60650a94e
💷 Individual Day Pass: £4
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Day Pass (2 adults + 3 children): £10
A Theatre-without-Walls offering, supported by Amal, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Friends of Khayaal. ❤️🎭