REVIEW - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS | LEEDS PLAYHOUSE | 07/06/2025

A Thousand Splendid Suns at Leeds Playhouse — A Powerful Journey of Courage and Resilience

Following in the footsteps of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns is Khaled Hosseini’s deeply affecting second novel—brought to the stage in this breathtaking adaptation by Ursula Rani Sarma. Presented by Leeds Playhouse in collaboration with Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse, this powerful production takes audiences into the heart of Kabul across nearly thirty years of conflict, through the eyes of two extraordinary women. Directed by Roxana Silbert, this is a story that dares to bear witness to pain, resilience and the unbreakable spirit of those too often silenced.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of Afghanistan from the 1970s through the early 2000s, A Thousand Splendid Suns follows Mariam and Laila—two women from vastly different backgrounds whose lives become irrevocably intertwined amidst war, loss, and hardship. Mariam, born an illegitimate child and cast out by society, is forced into a harsh marriage with Rasheed, a volatile man whose bitterness grows with each passing year. Years later, Laila, a bright and spirited teenager, suffers a devastating loss when a bomb strike claims her parents, leaving her no choice but to marry Rasheed as well.

What begins as a reluctant and tense co-existence between these two strangers soon blossoms into a profound sisterhood—born from shared trauma, defiance, and love. Through personal tragedy and the suffocating grip of patriarchal oppression, Mariam and Laila find solace and strength in each other, navigating a world where every day is a fight for dignity and survival.

The narrative masterfully weaves the personal with the political: the chaos of Kabul’s streets mirrors the turmoil within Rasheed’s household, while moments of childhood joy, memories of first love, and the loyalty of family offer glimmers of hope. Laila’s enduring love for her childhood friend Tariq and the innocence of her children, Aziza and Zalmai, symbolize the possibility of a better future despite the darkness that surrounds them.

This is a story not of despair, but of resilience, connection, and the unbreakable bonds of female solidarity—a deeply human tale that reminds us of the courage it takes not only to endure but to dream of more.

Simon Kenny’s set design is a visual triumph—an intricately layered tapestry of patterned textiles and woven motifs that instantly conjures the warmth and complexity of Afghan culture. The entire stage is enveloped in vibrant, star-patterned rugs that feel both sacred and lived-in, evoking a sense of memory and identity stitched into every thread. At its centre, an octagonal raised platform provides a dynamic space that transforms from the comfort of a family home to the desolation of a war-torn street, echoing the shifting fortunes of its characters. In moments of devastation, twisted metal descends or shadows reshape the familiar patterns into mountains, prisons or ruins, blurring the line between beauty and destruction.

Matt Haskins’ lighting deepens the emotional resonance with painterly precision—one moment casting golden hues of nostalgia, the next bathing the stage in bruised reds or stark shafts of white that illuminate the horrors lurking behind closed doors. The vertical bars above the stage shimmer like rainfall or hang ominously like prison bars, reflecting both literal and metaphorical entrapment.

Costumes, while seemingly understated, speak volumes. Traditional shawls, headscarves and salwar kameezes anchor the characters in place and time, while subtle shifts in colour and style chart Laila and Mariam’s evolution—from youthful freedom to survival under oppression. Every veil, every thread feels charged with significance.

The music, composed by Elaha Soroor and Giuliano Modarelli with sound design by Clive Meldrum, flows like breath through the production. Haunting, defiant, and deeply rooted in Afghan musical traditions, it never dominates but instead underscores the story’s emotional cadence. Each note echoes with unsaid sorrow, resilience, and hope—pulling the audience ever deeper into the world on stage

Rina Fatania delivers a tour-de-force performance as Mariam—layered, vulnerable, and full of quiet strength. From her early scenes, her inner world pulses through even the stillest of moments. Her bond with Kerena Jagpal’s Laila grows gradually, then powerfully, and their chemistry becomes the emotional anchor of the piece. Jagpal’s performance captures Laila’s transformation with remarkable grace—from hope-filled daughter to resilient mother.

Jonas Khan brings chilling complexity to Rasheed, never reducing him to a caricature, while Noah Manzoor’s Zalmai and Humera Syed’s radiant Aziza offer poignant glimpses of innocence amidst the chaos. Syed also impresses as young Mariam in flashbacks, showcasing remarkable versatility.

Every actor, whether playing one role or several, brings clarity and purpose to their part, helping navigate a story that spans decades with remarkable ease.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is not just a play—it’s an emotional reckoning. Harrowing, yes. Emotional, absolutely. But it’s also thought-provoking in the most vital way: reminding us of the stories that so often go unheard. This production commands attention and earns every moment of stunned silence it leaves behind.

With its unforgettable performances, evocative design and masterful storytelling, this is theatre that refuses to look away—offering, instead, a blazing light in the darkness. A triumph of compassion and craft, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a must-see for anyone who believes in the power of stories to change the way we see the world.

“A harrowing and hopeful masterpiece—this is theatre that leaves you breathless and forever changed.”

A Thousand Splendid Suns will be at Leeds Playhouse until 14th June 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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Photo Credit - Ellie Kurttz

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.