Afghanistan is a country on the verge of war and best friends are about to be torn apart.
Stuart Vincent, Yazdan Qafouri, Dean Rehman & Christopher Glover | Photo © Barry Rivett for Hotshot Photography
It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kabul, the skies are full of colour and the streets are full of the excitement of a kite flying tournament, but no one can foresee the terrible incident that will shatter their lives forever.
The extraordinary story of friendship across cultures, continents and generations in the search of redemption is a worldwide bestselling novel by the brilliant Hosseini.
This adaptation is closer to the film rather than the novel, but the story is still as powerful and relevant in this troubled world.
It is a beautiful visual experience, the simplicity of the staging design by Barney George and lighting designer Charles Balfour brings the turbulent world alive, the atmosphere changing constantly whilst a huge fan hosts projections that give depth and meaning.
Director Giles Croft brings a cinematic fluidity to proceedings with a large cast multi role playing whilst onstage musician Hanif Khan brings great skill and beauty to the piece.
Stuart Vincent plays Amir, the central character who narrates the story, switching between direct address and becoming a child with ease.
His journey for redemption is made harder by wrong decisions and the desperation of redeeming himself above others; chasing a lifetime of approval from his distant father, Baba, played by Dean Rehman.
Amir’s best friend is Hassan the son of the family servant, here Yazdan Qafouri brings an utterly devoted and committed world to life. Qafouri is outstanding and also plays Sohrab, son of Hassan.
The entire company are seamless. Bringing song, dance, and celebration alongside some of the bleakest behaviours of the human world to life.
It is a memorable and vital experience to remind ourselves of cultures ripped apart by privilege, religion and inherent values that are ever closer to the surface.
A great retelling of a gruelling story of life and survival.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
