Review: THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO, Theatre Royal Brighton

Based on Christy Lefteri's bestselling novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo has been adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, the team behind the acclaimed stage version of The Kite Runner. Now closing its UK tour, it’s arrived at Theatre Royal Brighton with a story that feels every bit as relevant and necessary today as when the novel was first published.

It's a tough watch. Following Syrian refugees Nuri and Afra as they flee war-torn Aleppo and embark on a dangerous journey to safety, the play shines a light on the human stories behind the refugee crisis. We’re all deluged with news headlines every day that often leave us detached from the reality of what people endure, but this bold and compelling production reminds us that refugees seeking asylum are not an abstract concept. It brings those experiences to life with compassion, honesty and humanity.

Ruby Pugh’s set design is incredibly smart.  It’s beautiful, in fact. Zsolt Balogh’s video projections are used throughout to great effect, helping transport the audience between places, memories and moments without ever feeling overdone. Some of the most powerful moments come from the simplest techniques. Balloons popping to emulate gunfire are genuinely startling. At the same time, they serve as a poignant reminder of happier family moments and of the child whose absence hangs over so much of the story.

At the centre of it all is Adam Sina's remarkable performance as Nuri. In fact, there are no superlatives powerful enough to convey the brilliance of it. The emotional weight that he has to carry is immense, and he does it with extraordinary depth and vulnerability. His portrayal of a man grappling with grief, guilt and trauma is nothing short of incredible. To be able to access and sustain that level of raw emotion throughout the performance is truly mind-blowing. Farah Saffari as Afra matches this depth perfectly in her leading role debut.

That said, this is very much an ensemble production. The majority of the cast embody multiple roles which creates a lovely fluidity throughout the piece and again, the artistic abilities of the entire cast to inhabit the bodies and souls of such a varied array of characters is mightily impressive.

Heartbreaking, thought-provoking and beautifully staged, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is one of those productions that stays with you. More than anything, it reminds us that behind every headline about refugees is a human story. For that reason alone, it feels like a play that everyone should see.

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