THE KITE RUNNER

Salisbury Playhouse

THE sold-out performance of The Kite Runner at Salisbury Playhouse ended with a standing ovation on Monday night as the play began its week-long run.

Expertly adapted by Matthew Spangler and beautifully produced by the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, the production remains faithful to the best-selling book by Khaled Hosseini and covers almost 30 years in the life of an Afghan boy, Amir.

Criss-crossing from Afghanistan to America and back again, the story unfolds across a landscape of changing politics and attitudes tackling themes such as loyalty, betrayal, guilt and redemption alongside topics of immigration, tradition, class and extremism.

It is one afternoon in particular, however, that changes the lives of 12-year-old Amir and his best friend, the servant boy Hassan, when what begins as the happiest day in their lives turns into the most brutal.

Ben Turner plays Amir as he switches between adult and child, narrating his own story in fluid form – his haunting memories and reflections hitting you blow by blow as Hassan (Andrei Costin) remains unflinchingly loyal and forgiving. While Turner’s over-exuberance in childhood play scenes jarred somewhat, he was an utterly captivating story-teller and Costin triumphantly blended both gentleness and guts.

In a casting of strong actors, there were also standout performances from Amir’s westernised Baba (Emilio Doorgasingh), the menacing Assef (Nicjolas Karimi) and the gnarly old General Taheri (Antony Bunsee).

It was a treat listening to live music from tabla-player Hanif Khan, and the set, simple and elegant, used lighting and shadows to great effect along with mime and handheld wind machines.

Utterly spell-binding, I don’t think I have ever sat through a performance of such length without hearing a cough, a shuffle or a murmur from fellow members of the audience. n Tickets have sold out, but contact the Salisbury Playhouse box office on 01722 320333 to be put on the list for returns.

Elizabeth Kemble