YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD – until 26 May 2024
REVIEWED BY REBECCA LOBB
4****
The Kite Runner starts in the 70’s and spans across 3 decades, telling the story of a childhood friendship that helps shape a lifetime of events. The play is based on Khaled Hosseini’s novel, ‘The Kite Runner’ and is separated into two acts. The story follows the main character Amir (Stuart Vincent), who is from a wealthy Pashtun family, and his friendship with Hassan (Yazdan Qafouri) – who is a servant and a Hazara. Vincent and Qafouri play very likeable characters and from the first scene you are invested in their friendship.
This play deals with very difficult subject matters, however the set design, music and the actors don’t make these topics feel decrepit. Matthew Sprangler has adapted this story with sensitivity, allowing the actors to give thought provoking performances.
Act 1 focusses mainly on Amir and Hassan’s friendship, and Amir’s need to impress his father ‘Baba’ (Bhavin Bhatt). Hassan is a kite runner for Amir, and this narrative is interlinked in the scenes. As the story unfolds personal relationships are tested, and it becomes clear Amir’s struggles with the differing classes, religion, and the bullies who surround him become too much – with Hassan suffering the brunt of this and their friendship ending for good.
Act 2 focuses more on Amir and Baba’s escape from Afghanistan, settling into life in America and depicting them as lower class – a world away from their previous lifestyle. Amir meets his wife Soraya(Daphne Kouma), and his father’s friend Rahim Khan (Christopher Glover). Amir tries ‘to be good again’ and wants to correct the mistakes he has made. This leads him on a journey back home to Afghanistan, via Pakistan, to meet Hassan’s legacy.
Vincent’s character Amir narrates the play, often dipping in and out of the action to add more accuracy and explanations. You must credit him for his delivery, as he is in almost every scene without a break! He is very believable as Amir, and even at times unlikeable. For me the outstanding performance is by Qafouri. He plays both Hassan, and in part 2 Sohrab. He delivers a strong, touching, and brave performance. You are really routing for his character, and a lot of the heartache you feel is for what he goes through.
Giles Croft has not shied away in directing this play. He clearly depicts the harsh reality of life in Afghanistan, highlighting class divides and cultural ‘norms’. The play portrays hard hitting scenes of death, rape, and physical assault – which are handled sensitively. However, my only reservation is I felt too much was packed in. You don’t really get a chance to take stock of what is happening. And although scenes moved fluidly, at times I felt like I needed to catch my breath. The book clearly has the scope to handle all these difficult topics and transitions, but in the play some scenes felt either too rushed or dragged on.
The set design is clever, especially when there is a change between Afghanistan and USA. You feel the cultural shift. I was especially impressed with the instruments used, and the musician Hanif Khan adds a wonderful element of storytelling.
This is a poignant play that is visual and has good musicality. If you see this you will be taken on a heartbreaking journey of love, loss, and the power of loyalty. I think this play is a wonderful tribute to Hosseini’s book.