‘Liberation Squares’ poses the question: why does being an outspoken Muslim girl have to be so damn hard? You can see it at Northern Stage this May.

In Sonali Bhattacharyya’s latest play, three teenage girls forge an unlikely friendship when they meet at a creative writing workshop at a hip new café/workshop. They challenge each other with new ideas that include Tik Toks, lyrics, and dance routines. But when they discover the café/workshop is connected to the state surveillance ‘Prevent’ programme, they have to fight back. The only question is how? ‘Liberation Squares’ is a story of sisterhood, freedom of speech and creative expression, in an era when dissent is being criminalised and the state follows your every move – both online and offline…

Liberation Squares, Friday 24 & Saturday 25 May, Northern Stage, Newcastle, 7.30pm, from £12, northernstage.co.uk