A one-woman comedy show about a lesbian date in Karachi debuts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this week.

Noman’s Land featuring New York journalist Natasha Noman explores the changing political and social landscapes in Pakistan – from the rise of religious fundamentalism to the all-important search for love.   The show has been co-written and directed by Veda Kumarjiguda.

It is based on Natasha’s own experiences of working as a journalist in the Pakistani port city. A date with an attractive woman replicates aspects of her New York life. However, the meeting takes an odd turn when the Tinder date, Jamal, brings her own complications: her father was recently kidnapped by the Taliban.

Speaking to Asian Image from New York Natasha said the subject matter was always going to be a little controversial, “Well, it does sadden me that I probably won’t be returning to the country!

“But I thought if I didn’t do this then I would regret it in some way.

“If I let them censor me then I essentially would be giving in to their demands.

“I don’t regard myself a martyr but in the Muslim world there are women who are less fortunate than I am in being able to express themselves freely.”

Natasha plays a number of different characters, including her Tinder date, a hard-hitting news editor, an eccentric pair of siblings and her English mother, to name a few.

The show is a quirky look at a country often associated with terror.

Natasha, who spent nine months in the country was quick to point out though that the real Pakistan is very different to the one we see on the screens and in new bulletins, “Life is very normalised and it is not  a terrorist riddled place. Of course one has to take the necessary precautions but people are incredibly warm and hospitable.

“It is a lot more human than one might suggest.”

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As a live News Editor for the New York based Mic, she said the media landscape in Pakistan shocked her somewhat, “I have to say it was exciting and challenging and I woud sense the male colleagues were not happy to have me there.

“The experience forced me to talk about difficult issues and you soon realise that censorship is the name of the game.”

The show has been directed by Veda Kumarjiguda who also directed Natasha in Anuvab Pal’s ‘Chaos Theory’.
Natasha Noman:  ‘Noman’s Land’ runs between 5th – 15th August at the Gilded Balloon - Balcony

For tickets see http://www.nomanslandfringe.com/