Taking the Stage 2024 - Echo

Echo was written as a response to the West’s support and media exposure of the war on Ukraine and explores online echo chambers. The liberal hypocrisy left many activists and supporters, of the rights of people in other war torn countries like Afghanistan and Palestine, feeling betrayed and devastated by Britain’s coverage. Especially because of Britain’s historical involvement.

In an age where we are consumed by technology regularly, poor mental health is on the rise. Since the pandemic, as a nation we’ve spent more time with ourselves online and in isolation  leading to higher rates of suicide and a variety of mental health issues.

Echo explores the consequences of regular and instant exposure to devastation thousands of miles away combined with our human condition to be seen and heard in an environment where we do not.

Subika Anwar-Khan - Playwright, Director & Duniya

Subika Anwar-Khan is a writer and actor who was part of The Royal Court and Hampstead Theatre’s writing programmes. She has developed scripts with Paines Plough, Curve Theatre, Tamasha, Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Rep, The Roundhouse, Nabokov and

Drywrite. Her plays have been produced by Kali theatre (**** The Independent) and the Vault Festival (**** Exeunt Magazine). She was the writer and performer of solo show Divided, commissioned by Camden People’s Theatre. Echo is Subika’s second solo show, first performed at Taking the Stage in 2022 and has since been developed with Tara Theatre. Subika is published in Hear Me Now Vol.2 and was a contributing writer for audio drama Beneath Our Feet (Spotify, Apple podcast).

Subika has appeared in plays Indigo Giant (UK Tour) Hear me Now (Theatre503), Mephisto (A Rhapsody) (Gate theatre), Julie (National Theatre), 60 Miles by Road or Rail (Royal and Derngate) and Ok Tata Bye Bye (Curve theatre). She has also appeared in TV shows Eastenders (BBC), Goldie’s Oldies (Nickelodeon) and Bafta winning feature film After Love (BFI). www.subikaanwarkhan.com