The Beekeeper of Aleppo heads to Brighton on tour

From June 9-13 it is at the Theatre Royal Brighton.

Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again. The play offers a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.

Directed by Anthony Almeida (Heroine, Opéra National de Lorraine; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Curve Leicester), the production will feature Adam Sina (Motive and the Cue, National Theatre; War Horse, West End) as Nuri and Farah Saffari (Play On, Traverse Theatre; Sex Education, Netflix) as Afra. Joseph Long (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, West End & UK Tour; The Last Confession, Chichester Festival Theatre, West End & UK Tour) returns to the role of Mustafa/Moroccan Man; as does Aram Mardourian (The Kite Runner, Waterside Theatre & UK Tour; The Night of the Iguana, Ustinov Studio) as Nadim/Fotakis/Ali; Alia Lahlou (MA Classical Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) is Dr Faruk/Dahab/Immigration Officer; Princess Khumalo (Stocking Fillers, Liverpool Royal Court; The Tempest, Shakespeare North Playhouse) is Angeliki/Lucy Fisher; Dona Atallah (Anne Boleyn the Musical, Hever Castle; Asmahan: a New Musical Play, Peacock Theatre Sadler’s Wells) plays Mohammed/Sami; Mohsen Ghaffari (Phaedra, National Theatre; The Government Inspector, Chichester Festival Theatre) and Helena Massoud (Macbeth, Quantum Theatre; MA Acting Mountview) are ensemble.

Director Anthony Almeida said: “What a thrill to restage this sweeping story with an electric new cast. Christy Lefteri’s sensational novel is a clarion call to the everyday – but extraordinary – lives of people who seek a better tomorrow. Beekeeper is a play full of heart, wit and hardship – and to share these vivid characters with audiences nationwide in 2026 feels ever more urgent. I’m truly excited for how this talented, soulful company of actors will light up the stage.”

Artistic director at Nottingham Playhouse Adam Penford added: “We’re delighted at the return of this emotive play, which so engaged audiences in 2023 and feels even more relevant today. Anthony Almeida will be breathing new life into this beautiful story, building on Miranda Cromwell’s original directorial vision. We can’t wait to see it revitalised with new cast members and share it with our audiences.”

Winner of the Aspen Words Award, Runner up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and one of The Times top three bestselling books of 2020, this adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel is by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler who also adapted the sell-out production of The Kite Runner, which has continued to tour worldwide.