Stage Review A Thousand Splendid Suns at Birmingham Repertory Theatre 2025
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| Rina Fatania (Mariam) and Kerena Jagpal (Laila) A Thousand Splendid Suns 2025 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Photograph Ellie Kurttz |
Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Based on the book A Thousand Splendid Suns Author Khaled Hosseini
Adapted for stage by Ursula Rani Sarma
Directed by Roxana Silbert
Background
Ursula Rani Sarma's stage adaptation based on Khaled Hosseini's heartwrenching and compelling fictional story of the plight of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, has returned to The Rep, Birmingham in a new production.
The whole of the lives of these two women is told, not in a chronological order, but through their living memories. Nonetheless, the present is set in Kabul in the 1990s and the main plot unfolds from this perspective.
The pair, whose freedoms are diminishing under Taliban rule are the two wives of, Rasheed, a weak and prejudiced, self serving man, who mirrors the cruelty and threat to women from outside forces in his own home where the three reside together.
Humera Syed as part of the ensemble performs as both Mariam as a child and Aziza (at school age), Syed in both roles is perfect as she provokes empathic feelings one would have for a sweet innocent, full of dreams, but with sadness attached.
Lastly, but no means least, there are some wonderful technical elements which greatly enhance the visuals, the lighting design particularly. The sound goes from subtle composition pieces to explosive (literally).
As previously, the reviewer can conclude for 2025 that this play once again is:
Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended the press night performance of A Thousand Splendid Suns at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 16 April 2025
REFERENCES
Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The Rep) A Thousand Splendid Suns printed programme
Hall, D. Theatre Review A Thousand Splendid Suns (May 2019)
https://notcompulsory.blogspot.com/2024/12/stage-review-twelfth-night-rsc-20242025.html
Directed by Roxana Silbert
Background
Ursula Rani Sarma's stage adaptation based on Khaled Hosseini's heartwrenching and compelling fictional story of the plight of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, has returned to The Rep, Birmingham in a new production.
 |
| Humera Syed (Young Mariam) A Thousand Splendid Suns 2025 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Photograph Ellie Kurttz |
The whole of the lives of these two women is told, not in a chronological order, but through their living memories. Nonetheless, the present is set in Kabul in the 1990s and the main plot unfolds from this perspective.
 |
| Rina Fatania (Mariam) Jonas Kahn (Rasheed) Kerena Jagpal (Laila) A Thousand Splendid Suns 2025 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Photograph Ellie Kurttz |
The pair, whose freedoms are diminishing under Taliban rule are the two wives of, Rasheed, a weak and prejudiced, self serving man, who mirrors the cruelty and threat to women from outside forces in his own home where the three reside together.
At first, there is bubbling tension in the household between the two women, but once Laila’s baby girl, Aziza arrives a special love and respect for one another begins to grow as they become fearful for all of their female futures. As they are forced to conform they look for means of escape.
Comment
This is pretty much a match for match for Silbert's 2019 production of A Thousand Splendid Suns. The direction is masterful as is the script and go hand-in-hand to convey well the awful and harrowing aspects of the story's content.
Comment
This is pretty much a match for match for Silbert's 2019 production of A Thousand Splendid Suns. The direction is masterful as is the script and go hand-in-hand to convey well the awful and harrowing aspects of the story's content.
Review
An ensemble cast attached to this, with three main characters: Laila, Mariam and Rasheed. The high pitched delivery with even level intonation that Kerena Jagpal adopts in her performances is well suited for the Laila character as this style of voice evokes the desired emotional intensity. Rina Fatania adds her own mark and mannerisms for the good as Mariam (RSC, Rifco Arts, The Rep). Jonas Khan is spirited enough and deftly presents action and movement in his performance of the challenging character to play, Rasheed.
An ensemble cast attached to this, with three main characters: Laila, Mariam and Rasheed. The high pitched delivery with even level intonation that Kerena Jagpal adopts in her performances is well suited for the Laila character as this style of voice evokes the desired emotional intensity. Rina Fatania adds her own mark and mannerisms for the good as Mariam (RSC, Rifco Arts, The Rep). Jonas Khan is spirited enough and deftly presents action and movement in his performance of the challenging character to play, Rasheed.
 |
Humera Syed (Aziza) and Rina Fatania (Mariam) A Thousand Splendid Suns 2025 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Photograph Ellie Kurttz |
Lastly, but no means least, there are some wonderful technical elements which greatly enhance the visuals, the lighting design particularly. The sound goes from subtle composition pieces to explosive (literally).
As previously, the reviewer can conclude for 2025 that this play once again is:
'a compelling and all-encompassing watch whether one is familiar with the story or not'
**ENDS**
Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended the press night performance of A Thousand Splendid Suns at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 16 April 2025
REFERENCES
Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The Rep) A Thousand Splendid Suns printed programme
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Production Images for A Thousand Splendid Suns (16 April 2025)
online
Hall, D. Theatre Review A Thousand Splendid Suns (May 2019)
https://notcompulsory.blogspot.com/2024/12/stage-review-twelfth-night-rsc-20242025.html
Hall, D.
Review of Community A Drama / Comedy
https://notcompulsory.blogspot.com/2025/02/stage-review-of-community-stage-comedy.html
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