Following a run at Wyndham’s Theatre earlier this year, Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel, The Kite Runner, has returned to London. The production, at the Playhouse Theatre, will embark on a UK tour following this second West End run.
Despite being fourteen years since the novel was published, this production, directed by Giles Croft, could not feel more relevant today. We watch the disintegration of a country, the demonisation of a religion and the persecution of innocents, all while friendships are built, and betrayed, and survival becomes the number one priority.
The novel is an epic in itself and, of course, it would have been impossible to transpose the entire book on to the stage, but Spangler has come very close. Some aspects, such as Sohrab’s adoption, are more succinct, but the main themes feel thoroughly explored and no one who has read Hosseini’s work will feel short-changed.
The protagonist, Amir, takes on the role of narrator and it’s a meaty part to wade through, David Ahmad is on stage for the entire production and doesn’t once falter. Andrei Costin bounds around the stage with unlimited energy, in the role of Hassan, and brings a superb tenderness and innocence to the role. Later, as Sohrab he gives a heart wrenching performance that left many in the audience weeping.
The switching back and forth from adult Amir to child Amir can sometimes feel a little jarring, but the narrator element does make for an extremely descriptive piece of theatre, often the words replacing staging, and that brings a particular beauty to this wonderfully evocative play. Drew Baumohl’s sound design is the other stand out feature, simple items create a rich tapestry of sound that really bring the settings to life.
The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted piece of theatre, which is emotional and thought provoking, and audiences will not fail to draw parallels between the highly wrought storyline and current affairs. Whether in London, or on tour, this production of The Kite Runner will elicit feelings of compassion and particularly resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the weight of guilt, the pain of loss or the joy of friendship.
