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| A Thousand Splendid Suns Company - Pamela Raith Photography |
A Thousand Splendid Suns originally a novel by Khaled
Hosseini has been adapted for the stage by Ursula Rani Sarma. Set in
Afghanistan before and after The Taliban, it spans the lives of 3 generations,
focusing on the treatment of women.
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| Amina Zia (Mariam) A Thousand Splendid Suns Pamela Raith Photography |
Laila, Sujaya Dasgupta, is orphaned aged 15 and is taken in
by a neighbouring couple Mariam, Amina Zia and Rasheed, Pal Aron. Rasheed
decides she should join their family by becoming his wife alongside Mariam. The
action moves from seeing Laila growing up, the relationship between the two
wives, Mariam’s early years, where she is played by Shala Nyx and finally the
new rules which are forced on woman by The Taliban.
This is a play which does have some difficult and horrifying scenes
to watch due to the subject matter but the acting is so powerful, I was
immediately entranced by the entire production. With subtle lighting from Simon
Bond, slick direction from Roxana Silbert and a simple yet effective set by Ana
Ines Jabares-Pita, this is one production which must be seen to gain an
understanding in the treatment which continues to happen in our ‘civilised
world.’ This is one of the most powerful and moving productions I have seen this year.
Runs until Saturday 15th June.
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| Sujaya Dasgupta (Laila) Amina Zia (Mariam) A Thousand Splendid Suns Pamela Raith Photography |
