After a successful run at Wyndnam’s Theatre, The Kite Runner returns to London for a limited season at the Playhouse until the end of August.
Adapting such a well known, international best selling novel for the stage is a huge risk but Matthew Spangler manages to successfully transfer this evocative and powerful story from page to stage well.
With David Ahmad as Amir the scene is set with narratives delivered direct to the audience explaining the intricacies of the friendships and lives of 2 very different boys, highlighting key events which will turn their lives upside down. David plays the role of both Amir the boy and the man. Although he plays the part of Amir the man well there is something lacking with Amir the boy – the innocence feels like it’s missing. However, Andrei Costin as Hassan/Sohrab provides the character with a haunting innocence that portrays the sense of a truly good person. You immediately warm to him and instinctively want to protect him.
Emilio Doorgasingh gives a stand out performance as the incredibly proud Baba. Towering over the other characters physically he has a presence that portrays an innate strength despite the fact that he is carrying a secret which conflicts with his strong moral code. A truly memorable performance comes from Bhavia Bhatt as the abhorrent and evil Assef.
The simple set takes you through the years and transfers you from continent to continent without distracting from the acting.
This is a heartbreaking story which makes for a great stage play. The pockets of humour sprinkled throughout provide a welcoming lightness although I had an expectation that the play would be more emotionally charged.
A thoroughly enjoyable play but I felt that it slightly lacked in emotion to make it a truly wonderful production.
