The book the Kite Runner is a deeply powerful read so recreating that level of emotion on stage is a big ask.
But the play, based on Khaled Hosseini’s novel, currently at the Oxford Playhouse, has done a wonderful job of retelling this poignant story of friendship, betrayal and guilt.
You could have dropped a pin in the auditorium last night as it played out – the audience was silent, captivated by every move and every word. The cast thoroughly deserved their standing ovation. Each character was perfectly crafted, Hassan (played by Yazdan Qafouri) so vulnerable and loyal; Amir (played by Stuart Vincent) haunted and regretful, the menacing and vengeful Assef (played by Bhavin Bhatt) while Baba (played by Dean Rehman) had an air arrogant, rich and yet sensitive. The set was simple, but we weren’t focussed on that, our eyes were on actors.
The Kite Runner is set in Afghanistan, in the 1970s, a country on the verge of war. Two best friends Amir and Hassan play and enjoy a carefree existence, flying their kites, playing cowboys and preparing for the annual kite festival. It was fun watching the two innocents play and dream, and see the life they had before the country’s political turmoil. Amir (Stuart Vincent) seamlessly switched from child to narrator and back into character again.
But the afternoon of the kite festival there is a terrible incident that changed the boys forever. Both scarred in different ways, Amir guilty at his lack of intervention cannot bear to see Hassan every day and plots to force him to leave his home. Little did he know war would soon come to Afghanistan and the boys would lose touch forever. Their lives took different paths – Amir and his father Bubba fled Kabul for Pakistan and eventually as refugees to America where they start new live. But Amir cannot escape his guilt and for many years holds it in. Marriage to Soraya (Daphne Kouma) changes all that and he is eventually given the chance for redemption.
Final mention must go to the wonderful musician Hanif Khan who remained on stage for most of the performance, gently playing the Tabla.
This really is a powerful story, and we came away thoughtful and a little in awe of the performance we had just seen. You can watch The Kite Runner at the Oxford Playhouse until Saturday 4th May. For more information or tickets call the Box Office on 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
