The Great Game: Part 2

Sat 24 Jul 2010 – Sun 29 Aug 2010

1979-1996 Communism, the Mujahideen & the Taliban

For 6 weeks only the Olivier Award nominated season returns,
prior to a Washington, New York and USA tour

Parts 1, 2 & 3 can be seen separately and not necessarily in chronological order

Download a PDF of the calendar of events by clicking here

This is theatre as crusading journalism, a cavalcade of vividly realised and informative studies. Nourishing and demanding, The Great Game cements the Tricycle’s status as Britain’s leading venue for political theatre.’
Evening Standard, July 2010

‘The Tricycle’s enterprising and fascinating collection of short plays about Afghanistan will leave you feeling you have been both educated and entertained’ Financial Times, July 2010

‘If anything drags, it’s the intervals. An inspirational highlight of the year so far.’ Independent 

‘Mind blowing plays ride high. Something remarkable is happening at the Tricycle, where Afghan history and culture are being made manifest in a uniquely challenging, theatrically exciting way.The Guardian 

‘Its scope is unparallelled. It’s a fine achievement.’ The Times

‘There is a deep thrill in hearing an audience fall silent, rapt in the drama….more impressive…the silence of an audience completely gripped by reality’ Financial Times 

‘High on my list of the best theatrical experiences of 2009. The quality of the writing and the painstaking nature of the research are palpable throughout…Directed with precision and clarity by Nicolas Kent and Indhu Rubasingham and superbly acted… this is a challenging theatrical marathon of notable intelligence, insight, ambition and achievement.’The Daily Telegraph 

‘For sheer scale and ambition alone it deserves the highest praise.’ Sunday Times

‘The cast of 15 is universally excellent. Sharp and entertaining and, as the best political theatre should, refuses to draw simplistic conclusions’ Sunday Telegraph

‘A fascinating..diverse indictment…leaves you hankering for more.’ Time Out 

‘The Great Game is the year’s most ambitious theatrical event’ Metro

‘Nicolas Kent’s most ambitous project is a triumph’ Jewish Chronicle 

‘An utterly enthralling and informative experience with terrific new pieces.. don’t miss.’ Whatsonstage 

BLACK TULIPS

by David Edgar

Christmas 1987. A super-power invaded Afghanistan eight years ago. Its troops were sent to combat backwardness and banditry, to defend women’s rights, to build hospitals and schools, but it didn’t work out quite like that. Now another group of Russian conscripts gets its final briefing before going in.

Cast includes Daniel Betts, Tom McKay, Nabil Elouahabi, Shereen Martineau, Karl Davies, Vincent Ebrahim, Rick Warden, Michael Cochrane, Raad Rawi, Danny Rahim, Cloudia Swann and Sheena Bhattessa

Creatives include Nicolas Kent (Director), Pamela Howard, Miriam Nabarro and Carl B Hamilton (Designers), James Farncombe (Lighting Designer) and Tom Lishman (Sound Designer)

WOOD FOR THE FIRE

by Lee Blessing

In order to de-stabilise the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan the CIA and ISI (Pakistan’s Intelligence agency) formed an unholy alliance with the Mujahideen. American weaponry was supplied to support the Jihad, and the Russians were eventually forced to withdraw. Wood for the Fire explores one of many facets of this secret war.

Cast includes Vincent Ebrahim, Rick Warden, Cloudia Swann and Danny Rahim

Creatives include Rachel Grunwald (Director), Pamela Howard(Designer), James Farncombe (Lighting Designer) and Tom Lishman (Sound Designer)

MINISKIRTS OF KABUL

by David Greig

The Taliban are closing in on Kabul: shells and rockets are exploding around the capital. A woman is interviewing
President Najibullah, who has sought refuge in the UN compound. He talks about fashion, communism, torture and whisky, but time is running out…

Cast includes Jemma Redgrave and Daniel Rabin

Creatives include Indhu Rubasingham (Director), Miriam Nabarro (Designer), James Farncombe (Lighting Designer) and Tom Lishman (Sound Designer)

THE LION OF KABUL

by Colin Teevan

Two Afghan aid workers disappear while distributing rice. Rabia, their UN Director of Operations, is determined to
discover what has happened to them. The problem is her organisation does not recognise the Taliban, and the Taliban does not recognise her. She seeks justice, but who is to dispense it?

Cast includes Shereen Martineau, Raad Rawi, Nabil Elouahabi, Vincent Ebrahim, Daniel Betts, Rick Warden, Daniel Rabin and Danny Rahim

Creatives include Indhu Rubasingham (Director), Miriam Nabarro (Designer), James Farncombe (Lighting Designer) and Tom Lishman (Sound Designer)

 

Supported by the British Council: