East is East

Synopsis

The story focuses on an Anglo - Pakistani family in 1970's Salford. It's a time of long hair, glam rock and flares. Chip shop owner, George Khan, wants his children to keep their culture and tradition but his kids want to be part of the modern world. The boys want disco music, the latest fashions and girls; Sajit wants to live in his parka and Meena doesn't want to wear saris. Their Dad is insisting on arranged marriages, dutiful children and respect, while their English Mum wants to give the kids space and to keep the peace - which is where the trouble starts. East is East is the hilarious result of two cultures colliding. This touching comedy was a hugely successful stage play and later made into the enormous international smash hit film. Winner of 1997 Writers' Guild Best West End Play award.

Our Review:

5 October 2009

Ayub Khan-Din’s East is East is most probably familiar in the form of the 1999, BAFTA award winning film directed by [Damien O’ Donnell]. However, the piece started life right here in Birmingham; within the Studio of The REP back in 1996. Now, ten years after its highly successful cinematic transfer, the stage adaptation returns home on the theatres main stage.

Set in the early 1970’s, we are introduced to a family unit living in the north-west of England. The political happenings of the time, especially in connection with the conflicts between India and Pakistan, form the background for the piece. The issues dealt with in the performance, of which there are many, are dealt with in subtle style through the means of Khan’s predominantly comic and witty script.

The play also deals with the wider topic of culture and its connotations; tackling an ever present argument between western and eastern culture and their place in contemporary Britain. Asking at what point do these ...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

No reviews yet

Click here to add your review