House of Bilquis Bibi Communal Reading at Theatre in the Mill

University of Bradford hosts event as part of 16 Days of Activism

Theatre in the Mill will present a communal reading of the play House of Bilquis Bibi on 5 December 2025. The event is part of the University of Bradford’s programme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and will be led by Sudha Bhuchar, Artist-in-Residence at Theatre in the Mill.

About the play

House of Bilquis Bibi is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba and is set within a close-knit community in Pakistan. The play explores how patriarchal norms influence the emotional and physical lives of women. It focuses on five sisters as they navigate societal expectations related to honour, respectability, obedience, and desire.

The work highlights how gendered pressures operate within households, relationships, and across generations. Rather than portraying gender-based violence as solely the actions of individuals, the play situates it within a broader social and structural context. This approach reflects the aims of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which seeks to deepen understanding of gender-based harm and recognise its various forms.

Event details

• Date and time: 5 December 2025, 16:00–18:00
• Location: Theatre in the Mill, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP
• Admission: Free, but places are limited

Participants will engage in a communal reading of the play, guided by Sudha Bhuchar. No prior performance experience or preparation is required, and reader packs will be provided on the day. The session will also include a conversation with Bhuchar and a facilitated dialogue connecting the themes of the play to experiences within the campus and local communities.

About the facilitator

Sudha Bhuchar is the Artist-in-Residence at Theatre in the Mill, a role co-commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. She will lead the communal reading and discussions, providing insight into the play’s themes and their relevance to contemporary issues around gender-based violence.

Additional information

The event is open to all and aims to foster community engagement and awareness around gender-based violence through literature and theatre. Attendees are encouraged to book their place in advance due to limited capacity.

For further information and directions to Theatre in the Mill, please visit the official event page.