Two centuries ago, the term "Big Game" refers to the rivalry between British and Russian empires. Today "The Great Game: Afghanistan" is the title of a remarkable work is presented in three parts, which delves into the culture, history and politics of that country from 1842 to present. Conceived and organized last year at the Tricycle Theatre in London by director Nicolas Kent to rave reviews from the British press, began a four-city U.S. tour in Washington at the Shakespeare Theatre Company Harman Center for the Arts. The team of 23 with 14 actors and six crew tell the story of that nation in twelve short plays, four on each side. The script is being updated constantly. It includes an interview with General McChrystal before departure and Kent is awaiting a Petraeus.Part One with General (1842-1930), invasions and independence, beginning with the British Army's worst defeat in history of near Kabul, and ends with King Amanullah and his family stuck in the snow while fleeing the capital.Part Two (1979-1996), Communism, the Mujahideen and the Taliban, refers to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the alliance between the CIA and the ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency) that forced Russia to withdraw.Part Three (1996-2010), Enduring Freedom, presents the complexities of civil war, the rights of women, the burden of opium crop and a vision of the soldiers themselves. Each of the twelve plays alone and is a time of half an hour. The three parts can be viewed in any order, but Kent believes the best way to understand Afghanistan is to attend all three parts in chronological order. Kent was upset when the huge response from Britain after 9/11 changed in Iraq after President Bush attacked that country, however, the war in Afghanistan echoed him. Noting that the arts community lost focus and decided that something must be done to bring attention back to Afghanistan. The first time I got in touch with Tom Stoppard, who had convinced him that that is not just one night. The next step was to commission twelve playwrights to address major events leading to the development of the country as it is today. Kent then went to Kabul to see the situation closely and we had an interview with a woman six days before his house was ransacked by an attacker. He know exactly what the writers need to get started.When launched the project, there were only 50 British casualties. Now there are over 300 and that his country sent more than 150,000 troops in January. He sees a weariness in his country about the war, and yet most people are starting to believe that leaving now would leave the Afghan people in very poor condition at the mercy of learning Taliban.Upon Kent planned to bring "The Great Game "for various U.S. cities, Michael Kahn, artistic director of STC, was determined to schedule a stop in Washington. He knew about politics plays the Tricycle Theatre has performed in the past and knows many of the playwrights who have contributed to the advancement project.In the opening performance, the STC held a symposium to explain the past and present beyond holders of Afghanistan, the role of women and their future prospects. Author Greg Mortenson gave a speech covering his experiences on a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "I hope people will attend all three parts of 'The Great Game" to learn about the larger picture of Afghanistan, "said Kahn. "This allows them to have meaningful conversations with those who can not understand the background and options for the future.