Proudly presented by Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd in association with Nottingham Playhouse, adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, from the International No.1 Bestseller Christy Lefteri.

‘I was scared of the bees at first, but now, they make me feel alive. They are like a society in complete harmony with itself. Not like people at all, but maybe what people have the potential to be.’

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. This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.

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, Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel has its world premiere in a brand-new adaptation by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler who adapted our sell-out production of The Kite Runner.

Creatives

Director Anthony Almeida

Original Director Miranda Cromwell

Designer Ruby Pugh

Lighting Designer Ben Ormerod

Sound Designer Tingying Dong

Video Designer Zsolt Balogh for PALMA Studio 

Composer Elaha Soroor

Movement Director Kane Husbands

Dialect Coaches Nadia Gattan & Louise Jones

Voice Coach Marianne Samuels

Artist Wellbeing Practitioner Nikki Disney

Casting Director Lucy Jenkins & Sooki McShane for Jenkins McShane Casting 

Cultural Consultant Nesrin Alrefaai

Associate Sound Designer Bella Kear

Assistant Director Massi Safa

 

Based on the novel by CHRISTY LEFTERI adapted by NESRIN ALREFAAI and MATTHEW SPANGLER

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First day of rehearsals: