Writer: Christy Lefteri
Adaptors: Nesrin Alrefaai, Matthew Spangler
Director: Miranda Cromwell
Book Groups the length and breadth of Ireland will be converging on Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre this week for the adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s bestselling novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
Lefteri, herself the daughter of Cypriot refugees, has woven together a harrowing tale about the hazardous journey a Beekeeper and his Artist wife must take to reach the safety of England from their home in war-torn Aleppo. Theirs is more than just a physical expedition through hardship, violence, exploitation and discrimination (“They say that this Island [U.K.] will break under our [the refugees] weight”). Nuri and Afra must also navigate a terrible grief (“I heard a whizzing sound … I was too late … the bomb landed in the back of the garden”), and the growing disconnect between each other (“you forgot about us, you forgot to love me.”) and also, in Nuri’s case, with reality (“All the children are in the river and they can’t get out”).
Nottingham Playhouse Productions present a most accomplished and capable cast. Alfred Clay gives a potent performance as Nuri, most ably supported by Roxy Faridany (Afra) as his increasingly sightless spouse (“She cannot see out and no-one can see in”). Joseph Long is mesmerising as Mustafa, Nuri’s Uncle and fellow Beekeeper (“Our shop is doing well. We sell the sweetest honey in all Aleppo”). It is in scenes with Mustafa that the happiness of their earlier lives in Syria, home to one of the most ancient civilisations in the world, are conveyed. The families meet for dinner every Friday. You feel the balmy heat of the sun and talk of pomegranates, pistachios, molasses and spice are redolent of the sounds and smells of the souk.
In 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring, the Syrian people’s peaceful protests against their president only incur his deadly wrath and lethal repression. Violence erupts and civil war ensues (“We lost our bees, let’s see if we can save our children”). Mustafa escapes to the U.K. ahead of his nephew and keeps in touch via email. It is his voice (“Don’t lose hope, never, never, never lose hope.”), his gentle stories, and his philosophical musings (“Where there are bees, there is life and hope”), that spur Nuri on and keep him going.
Engaging characters along the way bring colour and levity to the seriousness of the plays’ themes, which can feel heavy at times. A precocious and ‘tinkerbell-like’ Mohammed/Sami is played with great playfulness and physicality by Elham Mahyoub. Aram Mardourian is funny as self-appointed ‘Geezer’, Nadim, embracing all things British (“Tea with milk, it’s my most favourite beverage”). And in Athens, displaced Angeliki (Nadia Williams) has a tragic tale of her own to tell. Lily Demir, Daphne Kouma and Fanos Xenofos are skilful as they assume a variety of characters and roles.
Apart from its impactful storyline, the stand-out accomplishments of this play lie with the creatives. Visual effects by Ravi Deepres are simply stunning. As is the hauntingly evocative and affecting music from Composer, Elaha Soroor. Ruby Pugh’s set of shifting sands and ‘homes’, mirrors the transient and unstable nature of the life of a refugee. Lighting and sound (Ben Ormerod and Tingying Dong) enhance the flow of the play so perfectly as to be unnoticeable, in and of themselves. The rest of the creative and production team will have been intrinsic to the success of the above.
Director Miranda Cromwell and the entire cast and crew are thoroughly deserving of the sustained standing ovation on the play’s finale. As Mustafa says to Nuri at the end; “You made it. You’re safe now”.
Runs until 15th April 2023.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo in the gaiety was absolutely fantastic!! I had read the book and couldn’t imagine how it would translate to the stage. The actors were brilliant, the set, lights, music. Leaving the theatre, I could hear everyone raving about how good it was. I would recommend to anyone!! What a fab way to spend an afternoon ????????