The Kite Runner, UK Tour (2024) Review

14 Mar

`Yazdan Qafouri and Stuart Vincent. Photo by Barry Rivett for Hotshot Photography`

Written by Philip for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1970’s Afghanistan, ‘The Kite Runner’ tells the story of a friendship that helps shape a lifetime. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s novel, ‘The Kite Runner’ has returned to the UK after previously running in the West End and on Broadway. The story follows Amir, a young man from a wealthy Pashtun family and his friendship with Hassan - who is a servant and a Hazara. Just like the book, this play does not shy away from the harsh reality of life in Afghanistan depending on which class you belong to. With depictions of death, rape and beating - this play is hard-hitting, to say the least.

Although the subject matter is sometimes a hard watch, the warmth brought by the actors and the writing make for an incredibly moving performance. Matthew Spangler transforms the novel into a play with a delicacy and class which is no mean feat with a story as expansive as this. This would be my only issue. The world and story are just so vast. And the action moves speedily with much of the show as pure narration. It needs time to breathe.

The narrative in the first act follows Amir (Stuart Vincent) and primarily his friendship with Hassan (Yazdan Qafouri), as well as his relationship with his Baba (Dean Rehman), his father’s servant Ali (Tiran Aakel) and his bully Assef (Bhavin Bhatt). It details his personal relationships and his struggles with the differing classes and religion of the people around him - mainly of his best friend Hassan. With pressure applied by his bully and some horrifying events - he makes some decisions that truly make your heart sink. Act 2 focuses more on his escape from Afghanistan, settling into life in America and how the mistakes of his past live with him every day. With the help of Soraya (Daphne Kouma), his wife and his father’s friend Rahim Khan (Christopher Glover), he strives to rectify his mistakes and try to be good again.

The overall design of this show transports you to two very different locales. Firstly Afghanistan and then across to the USA. Barney George’s set design along with Charles Balfour’s lighting design, William Simpson’s projection design and Drew Baumohl’s sound design really do help set the scene from the moment you arrive. The warmth and culture of Afghanistan juxtaposed with the slightly more modern USA. Although nothing actively changes in the set there are different sounds and lighting states that help show the opposition. You actively feel the cultural change.

Giles Croft has the mammoth task of directing such a vibrant piece but manages by relying mainly on the narrative. There is so much to cover that there isn’t much time for anything else. However, the piece is staged with great care and consideration for the events that are being portrayed.

The cast is led by Stuart Vincent as he takes on the role of Amir. Amir acts as the narrator throughout the play dipping in and out of the action in order to give context or additional information. Vincent is enthralling as Amir. He is passionate and at times unlikeable. But you really do feel for him. Yazdan Qafouri plays Hassan as brave and strong, only adding to the heartache when witnessing what he goes through.

At it’s beating heart this is a poignant play about how childhood triumphs, mistakes and relationships shape who we are forever. It takes you on a heartbreaking journey with a cathartic conclusion.

‘The Kite Runner’ is touring the UK until 6th July 2024.