Review: The Kite Runner at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, October 6 until Saturday, October 11, 2014.

ENGROSSING, entertaining and most certainly electrifying is this complex tale of human frailties but ultimately strength of spirit.

Two young boys growing up in Afghanistan lead the way through an emotional and totally absorbing journey across three decades of highs and lows which stretch from the alleyways of Kabul to the beaches of California and back again.

Amir and Hassan, played brilliantly by Ben Turner and Andrei Costin, have to endure the fall of the Afghan monarchy, seeing their country invaded by the Russians and then the rise of the tyrannical Taliban.

They are just 12-year-olds absorbed in the excitement of a kite flying tournament on a beautiful afternoon in Kabul and blissfully unaware of what is about to happen to Hassan - an event that is to shatter their young lives Although their backgrounds are so different their friendship had flourished until outside influences, and this particularly horrific happening, split it asunder through betrayal and jealousy!

Not only loyalty, father and son relationships are also explored, along with bullying and abuse of power, and the impact of tribal and cultural differences as one of the friends journey’s to confront his past and eventually find redemption.

What an impact this epic has on the senses. No wonder the cast received such a warm and generous standing ovation for the way they delivered Matthew Spangler’s exceptional adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel.

Emilio Doogasingh is an outstanding Baba, a father figure whose dark secret eventually assists the journey to salvation, while there are other strong performances all around including Nicholas Karimi’s evil Assef and Ezra Khan’s willing servant Ali.

Afghan has been in our minds and hearts for a good many years since Hosseini’s work hit the bookshelves in 2003 and there are some specific insights here into the how the war on terror has impacted on the local population as well as further afield.

If you’ve made an appointment then cancel or change it, and head to the Festival for a roller-coaster ride that will batter your emotions and have you gripping the arms of your seat.