Casting announced for A Thousand Splendid Suns
Tue 18 Feb, 2025
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.
Babi, Mullah Faizullah Zaman & Militiaman
Mariam
Laila
Rasheed
Tariq, Wakil & Driver
Zalmai & Wakil’s Wife
Nana, Fariba & Doctor
Jalil, Abdul Sharif, Interrogator & Militiaman
Young Mariam, Aziza & Nurse
Understudy Swing
Understudy Swing
Novel
Stage adaptation
Director
Set & Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Composer
Movement Director
Fight Director
Fight Director
Casting Director
Composer and Vocals
Co-Composer, Arranger and Guitar
Accordion
Lyrics
Afghanistan’s 1970s musical heritage, including works by Ahmad Zahir and Abdul Rahim Sarban.
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.
MAJOR FUNDERS
Principal Partner
Principal Access Partner