24 February – 4 March

This story is about a city. A city of exhaust fumes, drunken phone calls, first kisses, hysteria, sweat and laughter. Cairo.

Coming of age in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, six young Egyptians navigate friendship, loss and secret Grindr dates in the city that made them.

The smoke of revolution is still in the air, but they have other things in mind: Alia and Tamer must hide their secret love away from the gaze of their families; high schooler Lina contends with the escapades of her rebellious friend, Maya; and struggling to pick up the pieces after the uprising, journalist Osman and dreamer Rafik face the dangers of living as their true selves.

Winner of The Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020, You Bury Me is an explosive political debut from Ahlam about a generation emerging from a national trauma, determined to live and love freely.

“Only Cairo, eh? Only Cairo will push you to your absolute limits and then suddenly… you’re in love. You’re in love and you’re entangled and stuck. How does this city do that?”

People find ways to love. Even in a very conservative state, even if it could potentially be violent. People find ways to be together, to have sex, to discover their sexuality.

Co-produced by Paines Plough, The Women’s Prize for Playwriting, 45North, The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and The Orange Tree Theatre, in association with Bristol Old Vic.

Photo credit: Pamela Raith Photography