Iqbal

by Jerome Hairston
Based on the novel by Francesco D'Adamo

Inspired by the life of child-activist Iqbal Masih, this play celebrates the struggle and triumph of child workers in a Pakistani carpet factory. Under the harsh labor and stern eye of the factory master, Fatima and the other children discover ways to laugh and share moments of tenderness, but they have forgotten how to dream. So when a new boy joins their ranks and dares to rebel, he inspires them to help each other reach for a better life.

$12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Estimated Run Time: 75 minutes
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 12 roles

Full Details

Roles:

  • Fatima
  • Ali
  • Mohommed
  • Salman
  • Karim
  • Maria
  • Mistress Hussein
  • Twig
  • Iqbal
  • Hussain Khan
  • Businessman 1 & 2

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

Jerome Hairston

As a playwright Jerome Hairston’s work has been developed and produced at theaters across the country. His plays include: a.m. Sunday (Humana Festival, 2002, Centerstage Baltimore), L’Eboueur Sleeps Tonight, Forty Minute Finish (Humana Festival 1999), Method Skin, and Knife on Bone. He has received commissions from The Kennedy Center, The Public Theatre/NYSF, Centerstage Baltimore, The McCarter Theater, The Children’s Theater Company, The Bush Foundation/Guthrie New Play Program, and the Manhattan Theatre Club. He’s been honored with a Heideman Award, an AATE distinguished play award, and the Fellowship of Southern Writers’ Bryan Family Foundation Award for Drama. His plays have been published by Samuel French and featured in American Theatre Magazine. As a television writer-producer his credits include: Law and Order Criminal Intent, FBI: Most Wanted, Survivors Remorse, Snowfall, and House of Cards. 

Winner of the 2010 AATE Distinguished Play Award

Originally produced in CTC’s 2008-09 season

Photos of production at Children's Theatre Company

Photos of production at Children's Theatre Company

Photos of production at Children's Theatre Company

Reviews

“

Playwright Jerome Hairston tells the story with poetic potency. Over the course of the play, his language evolves to parallel the children’s conditions, from stiff and stilted to free-associative fluidity and lyric metaphors

- Star Tribune
“

I’m always thrilled by the amazing intelligence of children. Iqbal’s spirit and wit, his passion and fire charge us. With this play, we hope to give that same gift to our audience

- Peter Brosius, former Artistic Director, Children's Theatre Company