• Duration: 1hr
  • Tickets: Standard £15 | Pay more £20 | Pay less £10
  • Ages: 14+
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

Yasmeen Audisho Ghrawi lived and cautiously thrived in a dictatorship for almost two decades. 

From the Daughter of a Dictator is a one-person show exploring her personal journey of migration from Baghdad to Beirut, Berlin and Britain. 

There still lives the belief, a false one perhaps, that the UK, Europe and ‘the West’ are the final bastions of human rights. But what if these illusory safe shores of democracy are in danger of disappearing? What if living in a democracy is becoming no different than living in a dictatorship? Where do we go then? More importantly, where will you go? 

From the Daughter of a Dictator is a collage of fragmented images and tales of displacement, hope, sorrow, joy and resistance, converging into the body and voice of one person trying to orient themselves in a violently loud, crushing world. 

Stories are spoken, whispered, sung and woven together with the conviction of a ‘rawiya’. The body takes its chances to hold, preserve, resist and crack under the weight and pressure of extremes. 

This is a performance about the dreamers who left, and those who remain. A reminder of our individual and collective power, and human right to dream. 

This is a manifesto for dreamers. 

It’s high time we met. 

With love and urgency. 

 

Why See This Show? 

Combining physical theatre, autobiographical storytelling and personal memories of life under dictatorship, From the Daughter of a Dictator asks urgent questions about democracy, displacement and our collective power to resist. 

Each performance is accompanied by a post-show conversation, inviting audiences to reflect on the themes of the work together. 

 

What the Critics Say: 

★★★★ “From the Daughter of a Dictator is an insightful and important piece of theatre.” – The Reviews Hub 

★★★★ “It is a masterclass in excellent theatre-making.” – The Reviews Hub 

“A warning to the UK from a daughter of dictatorship” – Middle East Eye 

“I fought injustice against refugees like me through activism and charity work. Then I found comedy” – The Guardian 

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.