The Beekeeper of Aleppo at Nottingham Playhouse Review
Photo: Camilla Greenwell
Written by Liam Arnold for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
“I wish I could open the door to a different world.” A poignant and thought-provoking sentence in the first few minutes of this production, provides the audience with an insight to the themes and feelings that will be explored in this stage adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s incredible novel ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo.’
Our main protagonist Nori, played exquisitely by Adam Sina, decides to embark on a journey of sadness, hope and friendship as he and his wife Afra decide to leave Syria for England, a few years after 2011, when everything changed.
A beekeeper from Aleppo alongside his cousin Mustafa, Nori feels distress and grief at leaving his home and his family and friends behind. The bees that he looks after give him hope for the future along with a steely resilience that he needs throughout his journey across several countries.
Playing cousin Mustafa in this production is Joseph Long. His sense of humour and timing bring unexpected moments of laughter to the audience throughout the show and he reminds us of the human stories behind the prejudice and stereotypical views that the Western World holds of refugees and immigrants.
As they travel from city to city and country to country, different voices, perspectives and stories are explored as they meet helpers, volunteers and other asylum seekers and refugees along the way.
Princess Khumalo’s performance in her role as Angeliki was superb and her friendship and honesty with Afra, played by Farah Saffari, added a different dimension to the story and their experiences along the way.
The playwrights in this case, Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, made the conscious decision to focus on the human stories behind the headlines and not so much on the War that separates them from their home.
Nori’s memories of the souks of Syria, the smell of laurel leaves hanging in the air and the bright red poppy flowers are projected across the sand dunes and buildings that form the main set. The projections along with the lighting become another character themselves as the passing of time as well as each new country and border they travel across is shown on screen. Lots of symbolism and imagery is explored through the use of the projections and this left a powerful mark on audience members watching.
Living in the Western World where media outlets and the news is incredibly biased, you can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to make that perilous journey whether that’s by air, foot or sea. This production is certainly needed in 2026 and is immensely powerful and timely.
Where there are bees there is life and hope and you can’t help but feel hopeful for Nori and his wife Afra as their marriage is tested throughout their journey as trauma, memories and loss play a part. Farah Saffari, who plays Afra beautifully, showcases her character’s story emotionally and developmentally throughout the show.
Will Nori and Afra make it to England? Will they be reunited with cousin Mustafa or have to remain pen pals through their letter writing from country to country? Will Nori be able to feel that he belongs anywhere again just as his bees belong together in their hive as a community?
The Beekeeper of Aleppo continues its run at Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 28th February 2026, before it continues on its tour of the United Kingdom, where it will be performed at theatres including: Richmond Theatre, Storyhouse Chester, and New Theatre Peterborough, before it concludes at Theatre Royal in Brighton on Saturday 13th June 2026.
If you wish to see more thought-provoking shows at Nottingham Playhouse this year then why not take a look at buying some tickets for ‘Punch’ from Friday 13th March 2026.
Caution: The production covers themes of war, violence, murder, loss of a child, references to sexual abuse, mental illness, drowning and forced migration. The show contains real life documentary footage that some audience members may find upsetting. The show also contains strobe lighting, flashing light, haze and sudden loud noises.
️️️️️ ★★★★
