Saturday Night Radio Drama - Alessana Hall - Leila's Shame

 Leila's Shame

A story about an unlikely friendship across the cultural divide between a risk-taking Somali woman and a cautious undercover cop. They have more in common than they realise. When Kate sets out to gather evidence about a Somali drug-dealing ex-con, she assumes the identity of an academic researching into the hidden Manchester Somali community. Her gateway into the culture is Leila, a flippant, fun-loving young British Somali. Leila takes her to meet Somali families, while making drops for her boyfriend Khalid - Kate's target. In spite of herself, Kate is very drawn to Leila. She's fun, slightly crazy and, it turns out, deeply troubled. They become friends although it's clear neither are revealing their true selves to the other. 

Kate is charmed and intrigued by Leila who invites her to dinner with her mum and brother, takes her clubbing and arranges a memorable evening in a shisha bar. Kate's focus shifts from professional to personal. Khalid is still her mark, but now she also wants to protect Leila - especially when she realises Leila's real troubles stem from her mental ill-health, a subject that is deeply taboo in the Somali community. 

Cast: 
LEILA...Yusra Warsama 
KATE…Jessica Baglow 
MAHAD/KHALID...Youssef Kerkour 
MUM...Sandra Cole 
CAROLE/DC STACEY...Julia Rounthwaite 
Scripted and Directed by Alessana Hall 
Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore 
Produced by Melanie Harris Executive 
Producer: Jo Meek