A Thousand Splendid Suns Content Advice

War
Depictions and descriptions of war run throughout the play.  Scenes include death, grief, the displacement of people and the trauma of refugees. The threat of further violence and war is an ongoing theme.

Death, violence and threats
There are several references to death and bereavement caused by war. There is a strong reference to the execution of a character by governmental regime.

The play also references the deaths of multiple children, the death of a spouse and a depiction of a killing.

The script also contains descriptions of violent acts, including a sexual assault and a graphically described injury.

There are numerous depictions of domestic violence which feature threats of murder, spouse selling/forced marriage and starvation.

The story includes references of a suicide, which is also alluded to onstage.

Domestic abuse and sexual violence
Domestic abuse and coercive and violent behaviour towards women are recurring themes within the play.  These include marital rape, sexual assault and sexual coercion, the word ‘whore’ and a mention of an honour killing.

Trauma
Aside from references to trauma caused by war, bereavement and domestic abuse, the play also includes references to experiences of miscarriage and a depiction of a traumatic birth.

Religion
Elements of the story could be perceived as religious bigotry.

Distressing sounds and visuals
There are multiple loud gunshot, missile and bomb noises in the production, as well as haze, depictions of blood and use of prop guns and knives onstage.

Strong language
As indicated above, violent language is used sporadically throughout along with significant misogynistic language and mild swearing. There are some instances of ableism, and one character is the victim to a racist slur.