The Breadwinner
Music & Lyrics: Joe Partridge
Adapted from the best selling novel by Deborah Ellis
This coming-of-age story follows eleven-year-old Parvana, growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the beginning of Taliban occupation during the 1990s. Life under this oppressive regime is extremely restrictive: women and girls are not allowed to leave their homes without an escort, to work, or to go to school. After Parvana’s father is arrested, she must become the family breadwinner—cutting her hair and going out to work in order to survive against all the odds.
Creative Team
Deborah Ellis
Author
Joe Partridge
Composer
Media
An early rendition of opening number ‘Letters’, testing the themes with students at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.
This musical has been developed through workshops with the BOOK, Music & Lyrics programme, with support from the Royal Academy of Music and Arts Council England.
A rehearsed reading is planned for April 2026 in London, supported by Arts Council England funding, to further explore the score and share the piece with potential producing partners.
Development
“Letters – Combination of dialogue, song, and live performance with 2 singers. Multi-layered cross singing, with clarity in what each character is expressing. Engaging and dynamic.”
BEAM Showcase Pitch 2025
What people are saying…
The Breadwinner is currently in development and seeking producing partners and collaborators for future workshop and production opportunities.
For enquiries, please contact: joe@joepartridge.co.uk
Support & Collaboration
Credits/Rights Note
Adapted by kind permission of Deborah Ellis and Groundwood Books.