Shamail Ali, Dana Haqjoo, Elaha Soroor, and Houda Echouafni in The Boy With Two Hearts at National Theatre. Photo by Jorge LizaldeThe Amiri family’s courageous struggle to reach a country which would enable a life saving operation for the eldest son Hussein, ultimately ends in tragedy, but the superhuman spirit, love and humour which is both given and received along the way, is a heartwarming privilege to witness from the comfort of a theatre seat.
From a theatrical perspective, there are very few technical tricks deployed in the telling of the family’s experiences as they escape Herat and travel through Moscow, Ukraine, Austria, Germany, the horrendous Sangatte refugee camp in Calais and ultimately on to the city which becomes their home, Cardiff. Theirs is a simple linear tale which requires little refinement. However, the production has still found plenty of opportunities to enhance both sorrowful and joyous moments, through a sonorous scene-setting vocal performance (delivered onstage by Elaha Soroor) and simple but cleverly concocted word-play projections and sound effects (helicopters, barking dogs, people on rafts and even grass, all make an appearance).
The brothers Hessam (Shamail Ali), Hamed (Farshid Rokey) and the eldest with the heart condition Hussein (Ahmad Sakhi), travel with their father Mohammed (Dana Haqjoo) and mother Fariba (Houda Echouafni) who has earned the displeasure of the local Afghan Taliban leaders with her outspoken address in favour of women’s rights and freedoms. The pacy physical movement and interplay between the players deserves special mention in Amit Sharma’s upbeat production, where every part of Hayley Grindle’s set is utilised in expressing the expanse of football pitches and the confines of 5 people squeezed into a compartment which is squeezed into a car boot!
The Amiri family’s story is remarkable — though sadly, all too common — and this production serves as a fitting reminder of both the plight and humanity of all who undertake such a perilous journey.
