8/26/22: The Kite Runner
What: A new play adaptation of the Khaled Hosseini novel about a young Afghanistan man remembering a close friendship from his youth, a betrayal, and the atonement he must seek.
And? Visually beautiful, between Barney George's scenic and costume design and Charles Balfour's lighting design. Even more compelling is the use of instruments: a set of drums played by tabla artist Salar Nader, and wind-making instruments and singing bowls utilized by the rest of the company to underscore. I haven't read the novel so I can't speak to the faithfulness of the adaptation, but as a play it is a bit overwritten and over-narrated. When protagonist Amir flat out tells us the themes, I wonder what was the point of us sitting here collaboratively going on this journey together, if he's just going to tell me the answer. In overtly articulating moments that could be achieved through actual performance, the play is determined to make us forgive Amir. I'm not sure I can. Also again can we please stop using sexual violence against a marginalized person to further the emotional journey of an entirely different character? Can we please just not? To say nothing of having the one overtly queer character be a pedophile and predator.
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| Amir Arison, center, as Amir. Photo by Joan Marcus. |
Streaming Theater Related Content I Watched
- American Players Theater's proshot of Hamlet.
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