GROWING PAINS

“Growing Pains" follows 17-year-old Khadija as she navigates the hilarious and often awkward transition to university. Caught between her East London roots and a new, predominantly white university campus, she finds unexpected freedoms and friendships while grappling with the profound weight of cultural expectations, faith, and the fear of letting loved ones down. This relatable comedy deeply explores her journey as she finds herself genuinely caught between two worlds.

Throughout the story, Khadija is faced with a decision that tests her faith, morals and belief. What starts off as a friendly decline to drink, creates a silent avalanche of events that leave Khadija wondering what would be the harm of having a sip? This piece tells both a personal and widely relatable story. While countless young people transition to university, the profound emotional complexities— especially for young Muslim women— are rarely depicted on stage. For many South Asian households, leaving home for university is culturally challenging, amplifying the stakes and potential isolation.

Nalini Theatre Company was founded in 2023 by Alicia Fernandes to give emerging South Asian creatives a platform to create, and showcase their work. Nalini’s productions prioritise emerging creatives of cultural diverse backgrounds, zooming in on narratives that are authentic, and resemble real lives, real stories.

Fathima Abdullah is a British Bangladeshi Muslim writer based in East London. Her writing explores the experiences of third generation South Asian Muslims navigating life in a diaspora delving into themes of immigration, religion and community. “Growing Pains” is her debut play developed as part of the 2024/2025 Soho Theatre Writer’s Lab.
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Part of Write Club 2026

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Running time:​ Approximately 80 minutes

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LATECOMERS MAY NOT BE ADMITTED.

UNDER 18s ARE NOT PERMITTED INTO THE THEATRE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. 

No re-admittance once the performance has commenced. 
Refunds and exchanges are not available.