Guthrie Theater

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 adult themes and subject matter.


Supported by the British Council

Sponsored by

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

Additional Resources

• Introductory Play Guide
• Post-Play Discussions

Access Services:

• ASL Interpretation dates
• Audio Description dates
• Open Captioning dates