Tell Me – A Bold Fusion of Chinese Pole, Dance and Theatre Exploring Life with HIV in the 21st Century
January 20, 2026 – Following the ★★★★★ international success of The Chosen Haram, Sadiq Ali Company and Turtle Key Arts present Tell Me, a visually stunning and emotionally powerful production that confronts HIV stigma through breathtaking circus, aerial artistry and physical theatre.
Premiering at Pavilion Theatre, Worthing on Friday 6th February, Tell Me tells the story of a woman navigating her HIV diagnosis in a world still shaped by prejudice, silence and misunderstanding. Through Chinese Pole acrobatics, aerial performance and visceral movement, the production explores her fears, dreams, relationships and evolving sense of self – transforming lived experience into a universal story of resilience, empathy and shared humanity.
A Personal Journey Becomes Universal Art
Created and directed by Sadiq Ali, Tell Me draws from the artist’s own experience of being diagnosed with HIV during circus training. “When I was diagnosed with HIV during my circus training, I saw how much fear and ignorance still existed,” says Ali. “I want Tell Me to challenge that – to create the same shift in audiences that I experienced with my peers, to replace fear with empathy and understanding. I want to challenge preconceptions to allow audiences a similar shifting of ideas and create a work that breaks that fear.”
International Pedigree Meets Urgent Social Message
The Chosen Haram toured to over 25 UK venues and major international festivals including Sydney Festival, Auckland Arts Festival and Gay Pride Europe, Malta. Tell Me marks the next bold chapter in Sadiq Ali’s mission to use circus as a vehicle for social change, combining artistic excellence with advocacy for communities living with HIV in 2026.
Exceptional Creative Team and Authentic Representation
Featuring performers Sadiq Ali, Jonah Russell and Phoebe Knight, Tell Me brings together world-class collaborators:
- Lighting Design: Jamie Heseltine
- Sound Design: Guy Veale
- Dramaturgy: Rishi Trikha
- Costume Design: Aslı Özüak
- Choreography Consultation: Jonathan Lunn and Junior Cunningham
The work has been developed in partnership with HIV charities Positively UK and CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association) to ensure authenticity and meaningful representation. Post-show discussions will explore the realities of living with HIV in 2026, creating space for dialogue and understanding.
Cross-Border Collaboration
A co-creation between artists in Scotland and England, Tell Me has been developed at prestigious venues including Powerhouse Coventry, Summerhall Edinburgh and The Lowry Salford, demonstrating the production’s reach across the UK’s leading arts institutions.
Performance Details
What: Tell Me – A circus, dance and theatre production exploring life with HIV
When: Friday 6th February 2026
Where: Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
Created & Directed by: Sadiq Ali
Produced by: Turtle Key Arts
