Review: The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Liverpool Playhouse

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri, Liverpool Playhouse

By Ken Powell

Theatre up in the north is always an under-rated gem. For this reason, all theatres have to think long and hard about what productions they put on, so it is rare you see a dud (and here at NAR, with our positive supportive approach to theatre, we pass silently by such ‘missteps’). But from time to time, you get the privilege of watching something that is very special indeed. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is one such very special production.

The original, beautiful book by Christy Leftari has been brilliantly adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, staying absolutely true to the story and making it real – painfully so, at times.

Likewise, the set design by Ruby Pugh was perfect. The way furniture morphs out of the rocks was clever and mesmerising. The whole set was used so creatively it was bordering on magic. It is no easy feat to merge several countries – as different as the UK and Syria – into one static set. Pugh managed it.

And then there is the nine-person crew of actors. I hardly know where to begin. They made the stage seem filled with twice that number and each actor was spot on in every way.

The lead character and narrator, Nuri – the titular ‘beekeeper’ – was sublimely portrayed by Alfred Clay. I don’t think I’ve seen such a touching display of humanity in a long while. You can’t help but deeply empathise with the man who has seen the complete destruction of his life and family in Syria and has gone through unimaginable horrors to get to the UK.

This is a play every right (white) winger, who follows the appalling xenophobic, gutter-press beliefs of ‘immigrants coming here for the easy life’, should come and see. I can’t believe someone can watch this production and still think we’re an ‘easy choice’ for refugees who never asked for this tragedy to happen to them and simply want their lives back. There’s nothing ‘easy’ here. Not a thing.

But it isn’t just a moralistic tale giving the point of view of a refugee. We also see the tragedy that has occurred to the blissful married life of Nuri and his artist wife, Afra – equally beautifully played by Roxy Faridany.

Watching the strength and resilience of these two characters, brought to breaking point through the relentless assaults on their very existence, would surely move the hardest of hearts. For my part, by the end the play, I was in streaming with tears.

Indeed, while I do urge you to see this production as soon as you can, I do have to warn you that you need plenty of tissues. It is not deeply heavy or melodramatic – in fact, it is light and full of humour for much of the time (and I shall be hearing “Geeezah!” in my head a long time) – there is no doubt the heart-break deepens as the mysteries of the story gradually unfold and we come to understand what has really occurred in both of these character’s lives. It is crushing when you reach the end. Yet, somehow, uplifting too – showing us the courage and determination of the human spirit at its best. You come away from this production a slightly better person for having been witness to Nuri and Afra fighting all the way, both through their own demons and through the Kafkaesque bureaucratic system (ably personified by Daphne Kouma) that makes their lives a misery even once they’ve reached the UK. This story isn’t entertainment: it is a privilege to watch.

In short, this production is nothing short of an intensely moving work of art. It is a moment of magic everyone should experience if for no other reason than allowing your heart to weep alongside these characters can make you more fully human and more real. That’s worth more than the price of the ticket.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo is showing at Liverpool Playhouse until Saturday 11 Mar 2023. To find out more call the Box Office on 0151 709 4776  or visit everymanplayhouse.com.