Arraweelo: “Sneak Peek” Operatic performance and discussion

Join us for an exclusive “sneak peek” preview listening of a unique operatic musical work, Arraweelo, a libretto by Rebecca Örtman with music by Jonas Dominique. The work is rooted in the Somali oral storytelling tradition and explores themes of resistance, identity, and freedom. In the libretto, Rebecca Örtman draws on interviews with Somali women and men through oral storytelling traditions, as well as texts by Nadifa Mohamed, Nuruddin Farah, and the poet Hadraawi.

After the show, stay for a thought-provoking discussion exploring cross-cultural productions and the power of Somali storytelling across diverse stages and platforms. The Arraweelo team will discuss the process of bringing Arrawello’s story to the opera stage, and the inspiration they have taken from Somali storytelling practices, interviews, and creative works. Playwright and director Rebecca Örtman will be joined by acclaimed Somali playwrights Maryam Garad and Hadsan Mohamud for a lively conversation about creating work that resonates across cultures, the opportunities and challenges of bringing Somali stories to new audiences, and the importance of authentic representation.

Arraweelo is an artistic project that explores the meeting point between traditional Somali storytelling and contemporary music drama. The sneak peek listening will feature performances by Sanna Gibbs (soprano), Maryam Garad (actor), Abdirahman Farah (oud), Karin Haglund (pianist) and Jonas Dominique (double bass), joined by set designer Annika Bromberg.

Rebecca Örtman is a playwright and director who amplifies the voices of girls and women through performing arts and film. Among her works are productions created for Gothenburg City Theatre, Riksteatern, and Malmö Opera. She is the founder and artistic director of Dramaqueen.

Sanna Gibbs is a lyric coloratura soprano, known for her roles at the Royal Swedish Opera, Folkoperan, and on international stages. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Gävle Municipality Cultural Award 2025.

Karin Haglund is a pianist and chamber musician, trained at Edsberg Music Institute. She has toured internationally and teaches at Lunnevad Folk High School.

Jonas Dominique is a conductor, composer, and double bassist who brings together classical music, jazz, and contemporary expression. He is active with, among others, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Abdirahman Farah is an oud-player known for his expressive playing who moves between different musical traditions and genres. In addition to performing at festivals and touring with several bands, he has contributed to many songs by Somali artists and worked as a music arranger and composer. Through his performances, he aims to create encounters between people and contribute to a musical community where different cultures can meet.

Maryam Garad is a multi-award-winning London-based playwright, screenwriter and actor. Her debut play Reparations won the 2023 Tony Craze Award and was staged at Soho Theatre (2024) and Theatre Peckham (2025). Her work has also been developed with Omnibus Theatre, the Bush Theatre and published in the 2024 London Library Emerging Writers Anthology. She is the writer and performer of REPARATIONS.

Hadsan Mohamud is an actor and writer, who has trained with the National Youth Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre, and the Bush Theatre Young Company. Her writing has been supported by Kiln Theatre, Soho Writers Lab, and the London Library Emerging Writers Programme. Her debut play Crush will premiere this year at Somali Week Festival.

Annika Bromberg is a set and costume designer educated at the Dramatic Institute in Stockholm. She has designed productions for leading theatres and opera houses and her work is recognized for its evocative visual storytelling, combining artistic innovation with a strong commitment to sustainable theatre practice.

Language: English

This event is supported by Tower Hamlets Council