A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE

Adapted from Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns arrives at Nottingham Playhouse as a co-production with Birmingham REP and Leeds Playhouse. Directed by Roxana Silbert, former Artistic Director at both Birmingham Rep and Hampstead Theatre, this unflinching yet compassionate production tells the story of modern Afghanistan through the lives of one family, over the course of fifty turbulent years.

Set in 1992, against the backdrop of a war-ravaged Kabul, the play centres on Laila (Kerena Jagpal), a teenage girl left orphaned and vulnerable. Her older neighbour Rasheed (Jonas Khan) appears to offer sanctuary, but his offer of marriage quickly reveals itself as a trap. His violent, controlling nature leaves Laila isolated — until an unexpected ally emerges in Mariam (Rina Fatania), Rasheed’s first wife.

Initially resentful, Mariam forges a bond with Laila under harrowing circumstances. As the Taliban take over, their home becomes a prison, and survival depends not only on endurance but solidarity. The relationship between the two women becomes the emotional heart of the production — a lifeline in a world defined by brutality, hunger and fear.

Rina Fatania brings warmth and pathos to the role of Mariam, grounding the play with her portrayal of a woman shaped by hardship and sacrifice. Mariam’s backstory as an illegitimate child, raised in poverty and later isolated in a violent marriage, underscores the wider social context — where such treatment of women is tragically unremarkable.

There are shocking scenes that it’s difficult to comprehend from a Western viewpoint. Laila undergoes a caesarean section without anaesthetic in a rundown hospital. The women are unable to travel or leave the home without a male escort. Education is taken away from women and girls.

Laila’s children, Aziza (Humera Syed) and Zalmai (Noah Manzoor), are the focus of the two women’s love and protection. The impact of Rasheed’s violence on the children becomes a crucial turning point, prompting Mariam and Laila to risk everything for a chance at freedom. Over time, Mariam’s relationship with them shifts from reluctant cohabitant to surrogate grandmother, offering the care and comfort both the children and Laila so desperately need.

There are flashes of lightness in what could easily be an overwhelmingly bleak narrative. One such moment sees Aziza gleefully re-enacting Titanic and professing her love for Leonardo DiCaprio — a poignant reminder of childhood innocence in a world where even joy is policed.

Condensing a novel of over 400 pages into a two-hour stage production is no small task, and at times the storytelling feels a little compressed. The timeline can occasionally be unclear, and some transitions feel hurried. That said, thoughtful staging decisions go a long way in supporting the narrative flow.

Simon Kenny’s earthy, prayer mat-inspired set is visually striking and versatile. Matt Haskins’ lighting subtly charts shifts in tone and time, while Kuldip Singh-Barmi’s choreographed transitions provide rhythm and coherence. Elaha Soroor’s music is rooted in Afghan traditions, helping evoke a strong sense of place without slipping into pastiche.

This production doesn’t just retell the history of a country in crisis — it gives voice to the women whose lives and choices are so often sidelined. At its core, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a moving exploration of endurance, sacrifice, and solidarity — a timely reflection on the quiet courage needed to protect those we love.

Photos credit: Ellie Kurttz