The Beekeeper Of Aleppo At Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Amanda Dando
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is very accessible based in the centre of Aylesbury surrounded by lots of parking options. The theatre use digital tickets, so no need to print them out, they are scanned on entry, which is all very easy and you are very quickly inside. If you are in need of refreshments there are plenty of options to choose from.
Having read the highly acclaimed bestseller book written by Christy Lefteri I was extremely interested to watch this play and see how it transforms to the stage.
The story of a husband and wife from Aleppo in Syria starts back in 2010. This is Nuri and Afra’s journey from a war torn country to the relative safety of the United Kingdom. A story we are not born into or having lived in a war torn country sometimes find not only difficult to imagine, but lack any sympathy or empathy of or for the loss that this must bring to so many. Something very topical in today’s world.
The set albeit quite plain benefits from some imaginative digital back drops. These make you feel incredibly immersed in the story unfolding on stage. It’s amazing how the set transforms dependent on where in the world that part of the story is, the ability of the digital images to make you believe they are in maybe a war torn area, a boat on the sea or living in a camp or park was something very creative and helped bring the story to life.
Although a small cast I thought they were all incredibly believable and did an amazing job bringing the story to the stage. Adam Sina as Nuri was both passionate and believable as the husband trying to lead his wife Araf played by Farah Safari to safety. The story is everything you would expect, scary, brutal, heartbreaking and some tales of kindness. The play demonstrates the loss to this particular couple in so many ways, the loss of living in their homeland, losing their livelihoods, their homes, their extended family. No one can comprehend the resilience it must take to leave your whole life behind because it’s too dangerous to stay, and to trek across Europe or the world to find a new life, a life of safety. Shouldn’t we all have the right to live safely? You would like to think so.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a humbling story of two refugees, it’s a story we should all listen to, we might find room in our hearts for more understanding, more kindness, if by watching this play, you find a little more compassion for those who live through what must be indescribable loss, then the play has done its job. A must watch for so many reasons.
Rating: 4/5
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Tuesday 3rd March to Saturday 7th March 2026
Tickets cost from £18.95 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95 available from www.atgtickets.com or call the Box Office on 0844 871 7607
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Exchange Street Aylesbury HP20 1UG
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-beekeeper-of-aleppo/aylesbury-waterside-theatre