It’s a shame that the Kite Runner was only on for a few days at the Playhouse as it proved to be very popular indeed.

One of the most well known books of the past twenty years The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini has already had film adaptation in 2007 and a number of stage adaptations over the years. This version adapted by Matthew Spangler and directed by Giles Croft.

It is not an easy watch as it contains some very brutal scenes as you might expect as it is set during the Afghan war. Whilst it is not a true story author Khaled Hosseini has used his knowledge of life in Afghanistan for the main character Amir.

Hosseini grew up in Afghanistan before he moved as a refugee to the United States in the 1980s.

It’s a very complicated story, narrator and main character is Amir (Stuart Vincent) telling the tale of life during the 1970s in Afghanistan on the verge of war. A happy time spent at a kite flying tournament turns into a sad life in a war zone. He escapes Afghanistan and is living as a successful writer with his wife in California. Many things happen and he is forced to return to his home country to try a put right the wrongs of the past.

Musician Hanif Khan is on stage throughout the play and adds much to the story playing percussive table and many other instruments along with the cast who use Aeolian spinners like the miniature sails of windmills, evoking the sound of the zephyrs making a great soundtrack A very simple set using sail-shaped screens suspended from above, on to which patterns are projected.

There a few lighter moments and it is a story of what might have a been a strong bond between two boys divided by ethnicity and different cultural backgrounds

The Kite Runner first played at the Playhouse in 2007 and it was good to see back again.

Pete Rimmer

The Kite runner continues its run at The Lowry in Manchester May 7th till 11th catch it if you can.