Kalisthenics
A bold, multidisciplinary theatrical experience curated by Kali Theatre’s Artistic Director, Aisha Zia
Calisthenics is the art of building strength and flexibility through one's own body, a balance of discipline, control, and flow.
Kalisthenics celebrates Kali past, present and future; the physical, emotional & imaginative power of South Asian women and non-binary artists. This season explores strength and community, through theatre, sound and installation.
At its heart, Kalisthenics asks: What does it mean to be strong - as an individual, as an artist, and as a community - and how do we find balance in a world that demands more?
Spring 2027 Soho Theatre, Dean Street.
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![Two women sitting and talking, one with long dark hair and the other with curly hair, both holding papers, in a warmly lit room with autumn-themed decor.]()
Hussina Raja: STATION
A new devised play written and performed by Hussina Raja exploring belonging, motherhood, identity and displacement through music and choreography. Developed with sound designer Fran Lobo and movement director Vidya Patel. Dramaturgy by Aisha Zia -
![Group of five diverse young women posing playfully in a room with decorative wall panels and brick wall background. One woman is sitting on the floor with her legs extended, smiling and making peace signs. Others stand or crouch around her, smiling, making peace signs, and striking playful poses, with one woman raising her hand in a victory sign.]()
Anna Himali Howard: ROOTS
A deep dive into the archive of South Asian women's playwriting in Britain — rediscovering a rich, bold and often-overlooked canon of unpublished work.Through research and public presentation, she will share plays from the archive with new audiences, surfacing voices that deserve to be seen and heard again.
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![A woman in a red dress with floral patterns holding a bouquet of flowers, standing against a green backdrop, wearing jewelry including earrings and a headpiece.]()
Alia Romagnoli: Exhibition
A photography exhibition that will showcase a range of pieces from her archive exploring queer identities and joy. It will also feature new work developed for our KALISTHENICS season, featuring South Asian icons as well as South Asian mothers, complementing Hussina Raja’s exploration of motherhood in her project STATION. -
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Sea Change
Sea Change is four short plays exploring themes of memory, loss, and resilience in the face of climate collapse – interrogating how we cling to hope, home, and humanity when confronted with ecological disaster, family estrangement, displacement, and the ethical complexities of survival.
These plays were developed through our Discovery programme, Climate Theatre Festival, and writer network, and further developed with dramaturgical support from Anna Himali Howard and Aisha Zia.
