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Homebody/Kabul

Homebody/Kabul

Written by Tony Kushner
Performed in English
2001-2002

Tony Kushner’s remarkable play was completed before the events of September 11, 2001 brought Afghanistan to the front pages.

The world premiere of Homebody/Kabul was on 5th December 2001 at the New York Theatre Workshop.  A version of the first scene was performed at the Chelsea Centre, London in July 1999 by Kika Markham, for whom the play was written.

Co-produced by Cheek by Jowl and the Young Vic in association with the New York Theatre Workshop.

“The most remarkable play in a decade… without doubt the most important of our time”

The New York Observer
Cast and creative team

Cast

NameCharacter
Kika MarkhamThe Homebody
Anthony BunseeDr Qari Shah/Border Guard
Kevork MalilkyanMullah Ali Aftar Durrani
William ChubbMilton Ceiling
Mark BazeleyQuango Twistleton
Jacqueline DefferaryPriscilla Ceiling
Silas CarsonMunkrat/Zai Garshi/Marabout
Souad FaressMahala
Nadim SawalhaKwaja Aziz Mondanabosh

Creative Team

RoleName
DirectorDeclan Donnellan
DesignerNick Ormerod
Lighting DesignerJudith Greenwood
Musical DirectorPaddy Cunneen
Movement DirectorJane Gibson
SoundPaul Arditti
Assistant DirectorEdward Dick
Previous performances

Previous Performances

DateLocation
3–6 July 2002Barcelona, Teatre Fabia Puigserver, Grec Festival, Spain
10 May–22 June 2002London, Young Vic Theatre, UK
5 July 2001New York, New York Theatre Workshop, USA
Reviews

Reviews

“Declan Donnellan directs a gripping, marvellously well-acted production for Cheek by Jowl, simply but evocatively designed by Nick Ormerod. A richly rewarding, hugely imaginative drama, in which Kushner combines poetry and politics, heartache and humour with rare panache.”

Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph

“Assured sense of rhythm…Energy and pulse…Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul is the most remarkable play in a decade – without doubt the most important of our time.”

John Heilpern, The New York Observer
Production photo
Photograph: Keith Pattison
Production photo
Photograph: Keith Pattison

“Gripping, marvellously well-acted”

The Daily Telegraph

I pray to God let all birds of the air be curses to fall on Kabul with dead eyes and broken necks.

And we’ll leave her here. In Afghanistan. So at the heart of the world the world’s forgotten it.

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