Theatre News

West End cast of The Kite Runner speak out against Trump ban

The play is about an Afghan boy and his father who flee to the US as refugees

Will Longman
London London's West End

On Monday night, the West End cast of The Kite Runner took to the stage to speak out against President Donald Trump's immigration ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The Kite Runner is the story of Amir and his father Baba who flee a war-torn Afghanistan to the United States as refugees. It was written by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini, and WhatsOnStage critic Sarah Crompton described it as "a book once read, never forgotten".

During the curtain call of Monday night's performance, cast member Emilio Doorgasingh told the audience: "We as a company felt that we had to say something.

"Due to the nature of this play we feel it incumbent upon us to speak out against such actions. We, as a company, are a diverse family of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

"We are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews and non-believers, but what unites us all is our belief in humanity."

Hosseini later tweeted the video saying: 'The incredible cast of The Kite Runner took a stand, speaking up for refugees.'

The Kite Runner runs at Wyndham's Theatre until 11 March.