News.
Deeply moving and visually striking new stage version of international literary sensation The Beekeeper of Aleppo heads to Leeds Playhouse
31st May 2023
There’s a buzz of excitement in the air at Leeds Playhouse as it prepares to welcome The Beekeeper of Aleppo from 31 May to 3 June.
Produced by Nottingham Playhouse, in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and UK Productions, Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s gripping bestselling novel reunites the team that produced the international stage sensation The Kite Runner.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of beekeeper Nuri and his artist wife Afra. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo. When everything they care about is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape, setting off in search of safety – and to find each other again.
This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.
Click here to download a selection of production images
Olivier Award-winning Director Miranda Cromwell said: ‘I am so thrilled to be sharing this beautiful adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s stunning book. It is an arresting, courageous exploration of one family’s struggle to deal with the aftermath of losing everything. Deeply moving and visually striking, this layered story illuminates their seemingly impossible journey to find a way to live again, and a way back to each other.
‘It holds a mirror to this moment in our history when so many people are being forced from their homes. It is a call to arms for compassion, understanding, connection and love.’
The production features Alfred Clay (The Winter’s Tale, The Comedy of Errors, RSC) as Nuri; Roxy Faridany (This Is Going To Hurt, BBC; Magic Goes Wrong, West End) as Afra; Joseph Long (Spiderman Far From Home, Marvel Studios; Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, tour and West End) as Mustafa; Aram Mardourian (The Borrowers, Polka Theatre; The Night Of The Iguana, Ustinov Studio) as Nadim, Fotakis, Ali and other parts; Daphne Kouma (Dirty Dancing, Secret Cinema; Offside, Pleasance Courtyard) as immigration officer, Dr Faruk, Dahab and other parts; Nadia Williams (The Darkest Part of The Night, Kiln Theatre; The Meaning of Zong, Bristol Old Vic) as Angeliki, Lucy Fisher and other parts; Elham Mahyoub (The Visit, National Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lazarus Theatre) as Mohammed and Sami; and Fanos Xenofós (Margot, The Most Famous Ballerina In The World, King’s Head Theatre; Don Quixote of Algiers, White Bear Theatre) and Lily Demir (The Secret Love Life of Ophelia, Greenwich Theatre; Empty, Soho Theatre) as swings.
The creative team comprises Set and Costume Designer Ruby Pugh; Lighting Designer Ben Ormerod; Sound Designer Tingying Dong; Film Designer Ravi Deepres; Composer Elaha Soroor; Casting Director Christopher Worrall; Voice and Dialect Coach Khaled Abunaama; Cultural Consultant Nesrin Alrefaai; Drama Therapist Nikki Disney; Associate Director Nadia Emam; Associate Film Designer Luke Unsworth; and Video Programmer Edward Freeman.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd presents the Nottingham Playhouse production of
The Beekeeper of Aleppo
In association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse
Adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler
From the International No.1 Bestseller by Christy Lefteri
Directed by Miranda Cromwell
Quarry theatre, Leeds Playhouse
31 May to 3 June
Box office: 0113 213 7700