The Crossroads Country (play)

Commissioned by the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Japan, The Crossroads Country play (date premiered June 16, 2009) follows the historical events of Afghanistan from the 1970s to 2002. Combining actual events, innovative staging, thousands of quotes and over one hundred historical characters; the Crossroads Country looks at the geopolitical events that led up the creation of the Taliban and the events surrounding 9/11.

Writer/Director/Executive Producer Alexander Harris:

“The history of Afghanistan is the history of the last thirty years. It is the fall of communism, the rise of fundamentalism and the birth of global [...], and there has never been a more important time to understand the mistakes of history than now.

“And yet it is more than just history. It is lives, and with them stories. Stories of inspiration and terror, stories of bitter sadness and warm laughter. Of courage against all odds, of family, heroics and hope. And a play should never try to be anything other than a story.

“What we plan to do with this project is shed some light on how we got here and who brought us. And by that I mean the world; not just Afghanistan.

“For those who are aware of Afghanistan only in the light of 9/11, or the Soviet Invasion of the 1980s, this should be an open door to a world of rich intrigue and interesting history, and for students of that history this should sum up a lot of disparate information and hopefully share some new nuggets as well.

“We’re very excited to have such an opportunity and such unparalleled access and we’re confident that what we’re seeing here is the birth of something original, historic and unique.”

References

1. Otake, Tomoko, Afghanistan's drama set for stage 1, March 6, 2009.

2. Asia Cross, NHK Programme 2

3. Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan 3

4. Tokyo International Players page on Crossroad Country 4

http://crossroadscountry.com/ www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crossroads-Country/180109805712