The Beekeeper of Aleppo at Oxford Playhouse Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
The international best-selling novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri, has been sensitively adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler and is now on tour and showing at the Oxford Playhouse. Having already read the book, I came to see the production aware of how powerful and at times harrowing its narrative is and so I was prepared for an emotional evening.
The story follows beekeeper Nuri, played by Adam Sina and his artist wife Afra, played by Farah Saffari, who, at the start of the play, enjoy a happy and modest life in Aleppo in Syria until their world is suddenly thrown into turmoil with the outbreak of war. After Nuri’s cousin flees to England, he convinces the couple to follow him and what follows is a harrowing and long refugee journey, fraught with unexpected dangers and uncertainty. Through their travels, Nuri and Afra experience the very best and worst of humanity and the exploration of the themes of love, war and displacement feel particularly relevant in today’s world as ever.
The intimacy of the Oxford Playhouse means that the audience can feel a close connection, as we are swept along on the journey with Nuri and Afra. Telling a very human story from the refugees’ perspective, the narrative is profoundly shocking and heartbreaking, yet at its core, it is a story of love and the running bee metaphor symbolises ultimately a sense of hope and rebuilding – ‘where there are bees, there is hope’.
Adam Sina is a captivating storyteller in the complex role of beekeeper Nuri, anchoring the production as the timeline darts about, and depicting the depths of grief and repressed memories with subtlety and sensitive acting throughout. Farah Saffari gives a compelling performance as his troubled wife, Afra who, through trauma and loss, has lost her sight. The couple teeter on the brink of devastation but somehow soldier on through unspeakable hardship. Joseph Long gives a strong performance as Mustafa and the Moroccan Man, bringing some much-needed humour to lighten the mood. The rest of the talented cast take on multiple roles, bringing to life the many different and varied characters Nuri and Afra meet on their refugee journey.
Directed by Anthony Almeida, the production is fast-moving, drawn together by a non-linear narrative which moves between the present in the UK and the haunting memories of Syria and their journey. This helps to reflect the characters’ fragmented lives, displacement and shifting future. Ruby Pugh’s flexible and inventive set acts as a visual metaphor for the chaos of war and displacement, with projections enhancing the sense of movement and confusion – it is cleverly done.
Deeply moving and thought-provoking, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a powerful and relevant production that leaves a lasting impression.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is at the Oxford Playhouse in Oxford from Tuesday 5th to Saturday 9th May 2026, for more information visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-beekeeper-of-aleppo or to book tickets, visit or call the box office on 01865 305305
The Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW