Playhouse production

A Thousand Splendid Suns

28 May – 14 Jun 2025

  • Tickets
    £15.00 - £47.50
  • Venue
    Quarry
  • Running time
    2 hrs 30 mins
  • Age guidance
    14+
  • Content Advisories
  • Group bookings

Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse present a powerful new production of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini's spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner.  

In 1992 in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, an orphaned Laila is left alone in an increasingly threatening world. Her older neighbour Rasheed is quick to open his home and takes Laila as his second wife.

Rasheed’s first wife Mariam has no choice but to accept her younger, and now pregnant, rival. As the Taliban take over, life for all of them becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, and the two women find themselves unlikely allies.

Former Birmingham Rep and Hampstead Theatre Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert directs this unflinching, life affirming drama, in which love grows and sustains the human spirit even during the hardest of times.  

Book tickets

Wed 28 May
Thu 29 May
BSL
BSL Interpreted
7.30pm
Fri 30 May
Sat 31 May
2pm
Sold out
Sat 31 May
Tue 3 Jun
Show more dates
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Cast

David Ahmad

Babi, Mullah Faizullah Zaman & Militiaman

Rina Fatania

Mariam

Kerena Jagpal

Laila

Jonas Khan

Rasheed

Jonny Khan

Tariq, Wakil & Driver

Noah Manzoor

Zalmai & Wakil’s Wife

Peyvand Sadeghian

Nana, Fariba & Doctor

Tahir Shah

Jalil, Abdul Sharif, Interrogator & Militiaman

Humera Syed

Young Mariam, Aziza & Nurse

Sophie Kandola

Understudy Swing

Amin Ali

Understudy Swing

Creatives

Khaled Hosseini

Novel

Ursula Rani Sarma

Stage adaptation

Roxana Silbert

Director

Simon Kenny

Set & Costume Designer

Matt Haskins

Lighting Designer

Clive Meldrum

Sound Designer

Elaha Soroor

Composer

Kuldip Singh Barmi

Movement Director

Rachid Sabitri

Fight Director

Jessica Hrabowsky

Fight Director

Helena Palmer

Casting Director

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Music Credits

Elaha Soroor

Composer and Vocals

Giuliano Modarelli

Co-Composer, Arranger and Guitar

Josh Middleton

Accordion

Afif Bakhtari, Abdul-Qādir Bedil, Tahereh Aboofazeli, Elaha Soroor

Lyrics

Musical inspiration drawn from:

Afghanistan’s 1970s musical heritage, including works by Ahmad Zahir and Abdul Rahim Sarban.

Content Advisories & Support

Depictions and descriptions of war run throughout the play.  Scenes include death, grief, the displacement of people and the trauma of refugees. The threat of further violence and war is an ongoing theme.

There are several references to death and bereavement caused by war. There is a strong reference to the execution of a character by governmental regime.

The play also references the deaths of multiple children, the death of a spouse and a depiction of a killing.

The script also contains descriptions of violent acts, including a sexual assault and a graphically described injury.

There are numerous depictions of domestic violence which feature threats of murder, spouse selling/forced marriage and starvation.

The story includes references of a suicide, which is also represented onstage.

Domestic abuse and coercive and violent behaviour towards women and girls are recurring themes within the play.  These include child marriage, marital rape, sexual assault and sexual coercion (including of children), the word ‘whore’ and a mention of an honour killing.

Aside from references to trauma caused by war, bereavement and domestic abuse, the play also includes references to experiences of miscarriage and a depiction of a traumatic birth.

Elements of the story could be perceived as religious bigotry.

There are multiple loud gunshot, missile and bomb noises in the production, as well as haze, depictions of blood and use of prop guns and knives onstage.

As indicated above, violent language is used sporadically throughout along with significant misogynistic language and mild swearing. There are instances of ableism, and one character is the victim to a racist slur.

If you have been affected by the themes raised in this production, please consider reaching out to the suggested organisations below for further support.

  • Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) is an award-winning British charity with a long history of delivering advice, support and integration.
  • Getaway Girls empowers girls and young women in Leeds to learn new skills, build confidence and resilience and raise their aspirations
  • Leeds Women’s Aid is a Leeds-based women’s charity providing a range of outstanding domestic violence and abuse services.
  • Asha Neighbourhood Project aims to improve the lives of all women and children living in South Leeds, advancing education, employment and health
  • Behind Closed Doors is a charity supporting those affected by domestic violence in Leeds
  • Nari Ekta is an organisation providing training for women in Leeds from ethnic minority backgrounds who experience social and educational disadvantages due to language and cultural differences
  • SARSVL (Support After Rape And Sexual Violence Leeds) supports women, girls and non-binary people who have been through the trauma of sexual violence

Audio Flyer

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  • MAJOR FUNDERS

    Arts Council
  • Leeds City Council
  • LTB Foundation
  • Founded by UK government
  • Suppoprted by west Yorkshire
  • Principal Partner

    Caddick Group
  • Principal Access Partner

    Irwin Mitchell