The Great Game: Afghanistan

The Great Game: Afghanistan
September 29 - October 17, 2010
McGuire Proscenium Stage

The Guthrie Theater's WorldStage Series presents
the Tricycle Theatre's production of
The Great Game: Afghanistan
by Richard Bean, Lee Blessing, David Edgar, David Greig, Amit Gupta, Ron Hutchinson, Stephen Jeffreys, Abi Morgan, Ben Ockrent, Simon Stephens, Colin Teevan and Joy Wilkinson
directed by Nicolas Kent and Indhu Rubasingham

Limited three-week engagement!

This ambitious theatrical experience, recently nominated for a prestigious Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement, from London's Tricycle Theatre explores Afghan culture and history in an enthralling three-part event. Each of the three parts of The Great Game: Afghanistan is made up of four one-act plays, each by a different playwright, each exploring a critical period of modern Afghan history.

The Guthrie will present each part as a separate evening of theater and will present all three parts consecutively on weekends. Wednesday through Friday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Curtain times for the entire cycle on Saturdays and Sundays are 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

These productions contain smoking and adult themes and subject matter.


Supported by the British Council
Sponsored by StarTribune 



The Great Game: Afghanistan premiered in April 2009 at London's Tricycle Theatre, where it was created and ran for three months to overwhelming acclaim. The Daily Telegraph raved "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..." and the Guardian called it a "mind blowing achievement," and said "Something remarkable is happening at the Tricycle, where Afghan history and culture are being made manifest in a uniquely challenging, theatrically exciting way."

The Tricycle Theatre has established a unique reputation for presenting plays that reflect the cultural diversity of its London community, in particular plays by Black, Irish, Jewish, Asian and South African writers, as well as for responding to contemporary issues and events with its ground-breaking ‘tribunal plays' such as the critically-acclaimed and award-winning Guantanamo - Honor Bound to Defend Freedom and Bloody Sunday - Scenes from the Saville Inquiry.

The plays that make up The Great Game: Afghanistan

PART 1: 1842-1930 Invasions & Independence


Bugles at the Gates
of Jalalabad
by Stephen Jeffreys

Durand's Line
by Ron Hutchinson


Campaign
by Amit Gupta

Now is the Time
by Joy Wilkinson



PART 2: 1979-1996 Communism, The Mujahideen & The Taliban


Black Tulips
by David Edgar

Wood for the Fire
by Lee Blessing


Miniskirts of Kabul
by David Greig

The Lion of Kabul
by Colin Teevan



PART 3: 1996-2009 Enduring Freedom


Honey
by Ben Ockrent

The Night is Darkest
Before Dawn
by Abi Morgan


On the Side of the
Angels
by Richard Bean

Canopy of Stars
by Simon Stephens

production photos by John Haynes


Resources

 

Run time

Each part is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes including one intermission