Writer: Christy Lefteri
Adaptors: Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler
Director: Anthony Almeida
Following its 2023 premiere at Nottingham Playhouse, this touring revival of The Beekeeper of Aleppo brings Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel back to the stage. Its story of a Syrian couple forced to flee war and navigate the hostile maze of European asylum systems remains undeniably powerful. Yet in a theatrical landscape where stories of displacement have become, tragically, increasingly familiar, the production must work hard to find a perspective that feels distinct.
The play follows Nuri, a beekeeper from Aleppo, and his wife Afra, an artist, whose lives are shattered by the war in Syria. Their journey towards safety is marked by loss, danger and the slow psychological toll of trauma. The narrative moves between present-day travel and fragmented memories of the life they once shared, gradually revealing the emotional weight both characters carry.
Adam Sina gives a measured and thoughtful performance as Nuri, capturing the character’s quiet grief and lingering guilt with understated control. Farah Saffari’s Afra provides an effective counterpoint, her portrayal balancing fragility with moments of determination as the journey unfolds. Among the supporting cast, Joseph Long stands out in his dual roles as Mustafa and the Moroccan Man, bringing warmth and authority to both appearances.
The direction occasionally struggles, with some scenes somewhat at odds with the soundscape that score them, but on the whole, the emotional rhythm of the scenes which jump back and forth in time is managed well. Moments that should land, do, and are at times, devastating.
Ruby Pugh’s design embraces simplicity, keeping the focus firmly on the performers and the narrative. What initially appears understated later reveals a clever transformation that adds a really nice touch, and genuinely surprising.
As a piece of storytelling, The Beekeeper of Aleppo remains compassionate and sincere, and the performances anchor its emotional core effectively. But while the story itself is deeply moving, this adaptation rarely finds the theatrical spark needed to elevate it beyond familiar ground.
Runs until 14 March 2026 and continues to tour
