Pigeons

Synopsis

The chaotic, graffiti-covered boys’ toilets of a South London secondary school

Amir and Ashley, both 16, navigate the minefield of adolescence, friendship, and identity against the backdrop of a multicultural but divided community. Amir, hiding in a toilet cubicle, and Ashley, trying to communicate through the door, engage in a fraught exchange that reveals the pressures they face from their peers and society. Their interaction sets off a chain of events that pulls in Leah, a fellow student, and Carl, a manipulative older influence, exacerbating the already volatile situation. The arrival of Hassan, Amir’s father, and Ameena, his younger sister, adds layers of familial expectation and cultural conflict.

Pigeons by Suhayla El-Bushra is a searing examination of identity, loyalty, racism, and violence. The play deftly captures the raw, unfiltered language and emotions of teenagers grappling with their place in a world that often seems hostile and unforgiving. Through sharp dialogue and intense, often unsettling scenes, El-Bushra explores how external pressures and internal conflicts can lead to explosive outcomes.