Review: Sisters360 at The Corn Exchange Newbury

The high-energy production at The Corn Exchange, Newbury, written by Asif Khan and brought to life by Turtle Key Arts, blends humour, imagination and emotion to tell a story that feels relatable and important.

At its centre are step-sisters Fatima and Salima, played with infectious energy by Sara Abanur and Farah Ashraf.

It is inspired by a true story of three sisters from Hull who challenged stereotypes through skateboarding.

Sisters360, a new children’s play by Asif Khan, is coming to the Corn Exchange Newbury. (Image: Corn Exchange Newbury)

Skateboarding is used as an unlikely antidote to prejudice, with hijab-wearing girls taking centre stage as funny, fiercely ambitious heroes of their own story.

The pair – a dedicated skateboarding duo from Bradford  - deliver a performance that perfectly captures the spirit, unpredictability and intensity of childhood.

Their chemistry is compelling, shifting seamlessly from playful mischief to moments of raw vulnerability as their characters navigate the upheaval of family breakdown.

The story follows their journey from the excitement of becoming sisters when their parents form a relationship, to the heartbreak of being torn apart when that relationship collapses, and their ambition to win the Tiny is Mighty skateboarding competition to follow in the footsteps of their hero, Olympic medallist Sky Brown.

It follows the challenge they face when their parents talk of separation, and how their shared love for skateboarding becomes the one constant holding them together.

Their desperate attempts to reunite their parents are both inventive and poignant, reflecting a child’s instinct to “fix” the adult world around them.

When those efforts fail, the emotional fallout is handled with sensitivity, particularly as the girls are forced to adjust to life apart, with one finding new friendships while the other struggles with the loss of the physical presence of her sister.

What makes Sisters360 especially effective is its ability to see the world through a child’s eyes. The characters feel entirely believable, with their shift between imaginative play and serious emotional stakes capturing the way children experience life in the moment.

Scenes move fluidly from toy-filled make-believe to elaborate schemes, underlining both their innocence and resilience.

Physical theatre is used to depict skateboarding in a creative way, inviting the audience to use their imagination.  

While the show is packed with humour and energy, it does not shy away from deeper themes.

Moments of separation and loss are carefully navigated, offering young viewers a chance to relate and empathise.

Yet, at its core, this is a story of hope. The bond between the sisters ultimately shines through, reinforcing a powerful message about resilience, identity and the strength of family, however that family may look.

Inspired by the real-life “Hijabi Sisters” from Hull, Sisters360 was driven by a mission to address the lack of representation in children’s theatre, putting Muslim, hijab-wearing girls at the heart of a story about ambition, friendship, and sport, through an inspirational story that deeply moves its audience.