Description
The monologue has always held an almost magical appeal in literature across the world and throughout history. Direct speech invites us into a character’s life, creating one of storytelling’s most intimate and powerful connections between writer, performer, reader and listener.
With this in mind, WritersMosaic commissioned the first series of The Mosaic Monologues, bringing character-led storytelling into the global majority literary space. Six writers were invited to create fictional figures who speak directly about their dreams, fears, longings and hopes.
For this event, series producer John Siddique will be joined by award-winning playwright Ishy Din, who directed the series, and poet Tahmina Ali, who will share her monologue, Shifting Shadows, which tells the story of Anika, a woman caught between motherhood, marriage and the weight of expectation. She has always placed herself last, yet something essential within her is asking her to return to life. The evening also features live music from Rory A. Green.
About the Host
John Siddique
John Siddique is an author, photographer, and sacred teacher. He is the author of nine books, including Signposts of The Spiritual Journey, SO: Collected New Poems 2011–21, and the widely loved children’s collection Don’t Wear It on Your Head. His writing and photography explore conscience, humanity, and the sacred within ordinary life.
His work has been featured in Time, The Guardian, Granta, The Tablet, and on BBC Radio 3 and 4. He is Project Co-ordinator for the Royal Literary Fund and WritersMosaic North of England.
More at JohnSiddique.com and AuthenticLiving.life.
About the Performers
Ishy Din
Ishy Din is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. Ishy’s plays have toured nationally, and he is currently under commission from the National Theatre and the RSC to write major plays. He has several BFI funded feature film projects at various stages of development. His Teesside based company, Blast Furnace Projects, delivers creative skills programmes to schools. Ishy has also worked for major broadcasters including the BBC, CH4 and Netflix. He has several original TV series proposals in development. He is a former Trustee on the board of ARC Stockton and is currently a Trustee of LIVE Theatre in Newcastle.
Ishy is a multi-discipline dramatist and has taught creative writing at numerous organisations including schools, colleges and universities. He has helped design courses for Further Education organisations and advises on best practise. Ishy has led multiple school-based creativity projects and taught on creative writing residentials.
Tahmina Ali
Tahmina Ali is an award-winning Bangladeshi-Geordie spoken word poet and creative practitioner whose work cuts through silence with honesty, tenderness, and political edge. Rooted in lived experience, her poetry explores identity, belonging, motherhood, mental health, and cultural inheritance through a distinctly northern lens.
She is the founder and host of Freespill, a spoken word platform championing underrepresented voices in the North East, and has collaborated with organisations including GemArts Masala Festival. Her work has featured on platforms including the BBC and The Glasshouse, with performances across the UK.
Rory A. Green
Rory A. Green is a Ghanaian-English guitarist, composer, and producer. Drawing inspiration from his mixed heritage background and the sensitivity of acoustic instruments, he combines them with the sonic complexities of synthesis, heavily layered instruments, and infectious rhythms to create beautiful, atmospheric environments for his music. With his dynamic, conversational approach to guitar and improvisation, Rory has been using music to share stories and captivate audiences across the UK, sharing stages with artists such as Laura Misch, Kessoncoda, Marysia Osu, and Kessoncoda.
Abha Sharma
Abha Sharma is a journalist, news editor, tv presenter, actor and theatre director. Her work has
appeared in the Times of India and the Hindustan Times. Her story is featured in What We
Leave We Carry published by Jonathan Cape and edited by Colin Grant. She travels frequently
between the UK and India.
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