Sabrina Mahfouz

Sabrina Mahfouz FRSL is a British-Egyptian playwright, poet, and screenwriter, recognised for her compelling exploration of cultural identity, gender, and social justice. Mahfouz studied English Literature and obtained a Masters in International Politics and Diplomacy at King’s College London. She began her career in the Civil Service Fast Stream, working with the Ministry of Defence and other departments before shifting to creative writing. She won the Westminster Prize for New Playwrights in 2010 for her first short play, That Boy, which was performed at Soho Theatre.

Other notable plays by Sabrina Mahfouz include Chef (2014), which won a Fringe First Award, and With a Little Bit of Luck (2016), a celebration of UK garage music and youth culture. Mahfouz is also known for her stage adaptation of Noughts & Crosses (2019). Mahfouz’s work frequently draws on her heritage, addressing themes of migration, resilience, and the experiences of women within complex societal frameworks.

In addition to theatre, she has contributed poetry to anthologies, published collections, and authored A History of Water in the Middle East, a piece exploring environmental and political issues affecting the region. In 2018, she published How You Might Know Me, a poetry collection giving voice to women with diverse perspectives on the sex industry. Her television credits include episodes of Doctors and The Amazing World of Gumball, showcasing her versatility across mediums.

An advocate for underrepresented voices, Mahfouz has held fellowships with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Bush Theatre and was named an Associate Artist at the Royal Court Theatre in 2018.

Sabina Mahfouz spoke to Simon Stephens in S4 Ep6 of Playwright’s Podcast.