Tilted in association with Soho Theatre presents
Brown Girls Do It Too: Mama Told Me Not to Come
Created by and starring Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani
March - September 2025
Fierce, funny, and wonderfully frank, Poppy and Rubina have sex and they aren’t ashamed to talk about it. And now, by popular demand, they're back on stage with their ground-breaking live show. Their critically acclaimed BBC Sounds podcast Brown Girls Do It Too (‘Best Podcast of the Year’ British Podcast Awards 2020, Asian Media 2021) has amassed fans who love their honesty and openness (love a period sex sesh…anyone else?) and faced enormous backlash online for breaking the silence on sex in Asian communities.Bringing their characteristic candour, quick wit and infectious personalities to the stage, Poppy and Rubina reflect on what is means to be Brown British women and explore the seminal moments from their lives from first orgasms and loves to racism and family politics. It’s clear that this show is far more than X-rated chat and banter. It’s a radical act. (The Times)
With songs, sketches and some very graphic content, come and meet the Aunties, Little Claire, Big Poppa and Reuben and find out why you’ll never match with Poppy and Rubina on Samosa Soulmates.This is a celebration of brown British women, genital warts and all.Please note: This show contains language that could be deemed offensive, such as swearing and adult references. Brown Girls Do It Too (Mama Told Me Not To Come) is travelling to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2025 and, back on home turf, is part of the opening season in London’s newest venue, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, in September 2025.
Rubina and Poppy will be testing brand new material for the show in three unique work-in-progress performances at Soho Theatre Dean Street in March, April and May, where anyone is invited to watch, laugh and even give feedback in an informal conversation with the much-loved podcasters and performers. If you are a Brown Girls Do It Too fan, this is for you. You’ll get to meet Rubina and Poppy, chat with them about their new ideas, and even contribute your own! You can then watch them bed in all the new material through a sneak preview of the show, also at Soho Theatre Dean Street, in mid June, before Brown Girls Do It Too sweeps into Edinburgh and back into London for its grand finale. -
WORK IN PROGRESS PERFORMANCES, SOHO THEATRE DEAN STREET
25th March, 22nd April 2025, 20th May 2025
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PREVIEW PERFORMANCES, SOHO THEATRE DEAN STREET
10th - 14th June 2025
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UNDERBELLY COWBARN, EDINBURGH
30th July - 24th August 2025
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SOHO THEATRE WALTHAMSTOW
9th - 13th September 2025
Reviews
The mix of chit-chat, liberation sexology and the comedy of cultural identity, is a potent one.
★★★★ - The Guardian
as life-enhancing as it is entertaining
★★★★ - The Standard
a perfect blend of comedy and heartfelt conversations, which feels both liberating and comforting
★★★★ - Abundant Arts
refreshing and riotously funny
★★★★ - The Stage
if I can bring my mum to a show about rimming and wanking over Keanu Reeves, and she still insists on getting cast autographs post-show, then it must be a hit.
★★★★ - Tribal Arts
Audience Feedback
Cast and Creative team
Writer and performer: Poppy Jay Writer and performer: Rubina Pabani Co-director: Sam Hodges Co-director: Aneesha Srinivasan Set and costume designer: Rosanna Vize Lighting designer: Bethany Gupwell Sound designer: Jasmin Kent Rodgman Dramaturg: Pia Furtado Movement director: Sundeep Saini
