Acclaimed stage adaptation of The Beekeeper of Aleppo to visit Theatre Royal Bath

Following its acclaimed world premiere at Nottingham Playhouse in 2023, a restaging of Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, will visit Bath as part of a national tour.

Appearing at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 31 March to Saturday 4 April, the production is directed by multi-award-winning Anthony Almeida (Heroine, Opéra National de Lorraine; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Curve Leicester), and adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, who also adapted the sell-out production of The Kite Runner, which has continued to tour worldwide.

Image: The Beekeeper of Aleppo, credit Manuel Harlan

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. 

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.”

Director of UK Productions Martin Dodd said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again be partnering with Nottingham Playhouse to bring this amazing story, and powerful piece of theatre back to the stage. Given world events, it has never been more relevant, and following its world premiere in 2023 we were taken aback by the reaction of audiences to each and every performance, with emotions running the full spectrum between laughter and tears.”

The production stars 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.

The creative team includes designer Ruby Pugh; lighting designer Ben Ormerod; sound designer Tingying Dong; video designer Zsolt Balogh for PALMA Studio; composer Elaha Soroor; casting director Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShane for Jenkins McShane Casting; cultural consultant is Nesrin Alrefaai; associate sound designer is Bella Kear and assistant director is Massi Safa. The original production was directed by Miranda Cromwell.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 31 March to Saturday 4 April. For tickets visit the Theatre Royal Bath website at theatreroyal.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01225 448844.