Relay
Written by and performed by Leila Navabi
Directed by Elan Isaa
Relay is a bold, joyful punk‑musical one‑person show about making a queer family on your own terms, written and performed by award‑nominated comedian, writer and composer Leila Navabi.
The critically acclaimed show was included in The Guardian’s “10 Best Shows to Catch” at Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and was nominated for the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence.
Blending stand‑up, electro‑pop musical numbers and hand‑drawn animation, Relay delivers a heartfelt and hilarious hour exploring what it takes to start a family when the odds — and the system — are stacked against you. Leila charts the wild, deeply personal journey of making a baby at home with her partner, a best mate as the sperm donor, and, of course, his boyfriend cheering from the sidelines. The result is a story that unpacks love, ambition and the beautiful chaos of building a family on your own terms. Equal parts absurd and profound, Relay shows that family is not just what you make it, but how.
Leila’s debut show Composition sold out its run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and transferred to London’s Soho Theatre.
Further praise for Relay:
★★★★ — Fest Magazine “Smart and sharp punk musical comedy … Navabi handles the warmth with care … Relay leaves us with hope in the enduring generosity and support of our loved ones.”
★★★★ — The Skinny “What is perhaps Navabi’s greatest talent, aside from her clean, high vocals and her whip-like wit, is her ability to put an audience at ease”
★★★★★ — The Student Newspaper “The audience was lit up with smiling, teary faces.”
“A delightful and comic meditation on what it means to be a family… It’s impossible not to fall for Leila Navabi’s story” – The Stage
“A heartfelt story about dreams, hope and the importance of chosen family… Navabi’s performance is deeply honest and personal.” – Nation Cymru
Sherman Theatre
Thu 9 Apr, 8pm
Fri 10 Apr, 8pm
Sat 11 Apr, 8pm
