Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd presents the Nottingham Playhouse production of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, from the International No.1 Bestseller by Christy Lefteri

‘I was scared of the bees at first, but now, they make me feel alive. They are like a society in complete harmony with itself. Not like people at all, but maybe what people have the potential to be.’

Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again. This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.

Winner of the Aspen Words Award, Runner up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and one of The Times top three bestselling books of 2020, This production of Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, who adapted our sell-out production of The Kite Runner premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in early 2023 and went on to tour the UK and Ireland, receiving rave reviews wherever it played. The production will be directed by Olivier Award winning Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman – Young Vic, Piccadilly Theatre and Broadway).

‘It’s impossible not to be moved by Lefteri’s plea for humanity, and perhaps inspired too.’ The Guardian

‘A story of loss, love, resilience and hope. … it’s impossible not to be moved.’ The Observer

2026 Tour dates

Friday 6 to Saturday 28 February 2026
Nottingham Playhouse
 
Tuesday 3 March to Saturday 7 March 2026
Aylesbury Theatre
 
Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 March 2026
Richmond Theatre
 
Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 March 2026
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford
 
Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 28 March 2026
Salisbury Playhouse
 
Monday 31 March to Saturday 4 April 2026
Theatre Royal Bath
 
Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 April 2026
Malvern Theatre
 
Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April 2026
Storyhouse Chester

Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May 2026
Oxford Playhouse 
 
Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May 2026
Theatre Severn Shrewsbury
 
Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 June 2026
Theatre Royal Brighton

More venues to be announced 

2023 Production

UK Tour 2023 | Venues and Dates

Fri 3 February 2023 to Sat 25 February 2023

Nottingham Playhouse | Buy Tickets

Wed 1 March 2023 to Sat 11 March 2023

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse | Buy Tickets

Tues 21 March to Sat 25 March 2023

Salisbury Playhouse | Buy Tickets

Tue 28 March 2023 to Sat 1 April 2023

Cardiff, New Theatre | Buy Tickets

Tue 4 to Sat 8 April 2023

Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn | Buy Tickets

Tue 11 – Sat 15 April 2023

Dublin, Gaiety Theatre | Buy Tickets

Tue 18 April 2023 to Sat 22 April 2023

Salford, The Lowry | Buy Tickets

Tue 25 April 2023 to Sat 29 April 2023

Glasgow, Theatre Royal | Buy Tickets

Tue 2 May 2023 to Sat 6 May 2023

London, Richmond Theatre | Buy Tickets

Tue 9- Sat 13 May 2023

Norwich Theatre Royal | Buy Tickets

Tues 16 to Sat 20 May 2023

Cambridge Arts Theatre | Buy Tickets

Tue 23 – Sat 27 May 2023

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry | Buy Tickets

Wed 31 May – Sat 3 June 2023

Leeds Playhouse | Buy Tickets

Tue 6 June 2023 to Sat 10 June 2023

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Theatre Royal | Buy Tickets

Tue 13 June 2023 to Sat 17 June 2023

Birmingham, The Rep | Buy Tickets

Tue 20 June 2023 to Sat 24 June 2023

Plymouth, Theatre Royal | Buy Tickets

Tue 27 June to Sat 1 July 2023

Guildford Yvonne Arnaud | Buy Tickets