Reviewed by Lorna Templeton
The Kite Runner, based on the incredibly well-loved novel written by Khaled Hosseini, is the story of 2 young friends in 1970s Afghanistan and the terrible events which tear them, their families and their country apart, so a stage adaptation, by Matthew Spangler, was an ambitious project to undertake. How would the massive geographical scale and huge variety in locations translate to a stage set? How would the first-person storytelling be adapted? Would the intense atmosphere travel from page to stage? I’m happy to say the show is a triumph, close enough to the book not to disappoint readers but also accessible to newcomers to the story.
David Ahmad acts and narrates in the role of Amir, and manages to be believable as both a child and an adult, as well as creating a world in the audience’s minds. The supporting cast are all excellent also, particularly Jo Ben Ayed as Hassan/Sohrab and Emilio Doorgasingh as Baba.
The set is well designed and minimalist, yet still believable as both Kabul and San Francisco. The sound effects created by the cast are extremely effective and really add to the mood of the show.
The show is cleverly created yet still conveys the raw emotion readers of the novel felt at the key moments. Amir’s despair at Sohrab’s plight near the end of the show is a particularly emotional moment and was suitably tear-jerking. The Theatre Royal with its wonderful recently refurbishment was the perfect venue for the show.
A moving and overall extremely satisfying night at the theatre.
Rating: 5/5
The Kite Runner is at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow from 11-16 September 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/theatre-royal-glasgow or call the box office on 0844 871 7647.
Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA | 0844 871 7647
