Stage Review East is East - At Birmingham Repertory Theatre 2021

 

Sajit played by Noah Manzoor 
East is East (2021)
Image by : Pamela Raith

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Introduction

It is twenty-five years since Tamasha, the Royal Court, and Birmingham Repertory Theatre premiered East is East at The Rep. This year, on its 25th anniversary, this National Theatre/The Rep production sees the play by Ayub Khan Din, back on stage at The Rep where it all started.

Once Khan Din’s creation, (based on his own life experiences), was unfettered in 1996, he went on to write the screenplay adaptation for the famous 1999 film bearing the same name, directed by Damien O'Donnell.

East is East explores two main themes. The first is the trials and tribulations of being a first generation Pakistani immigrant to Britain. Secondly, the kind of challenges children of mixed race marriages faced living in working class communities during the 1970s.

George played by Tony Jayawardena 
East is East (2021)
Image: by Pamela Raith

Overview

Set in Salford, England in the early 1970s and George Khan struggles every day with his feelings of displacement from his homeland. In his mind Pakistan has come to be a country where religion, business and family made more sense to him than modern day Britain.

Having migrated at the time of the India and Pakistan partition, his years living in England had seen marriage to Ella, resulting in six children (five boys and one girl) and the ownership of a fish and chip shop business. 

Troubles over Kashmir are suddenly all over the news and George is particularly tense and short fused with his family.

Ella and the children have their gripes with George too. Ella is often forced to confront him about the impact of his culture and faith on the family and about his unfair expectations on them all; but she confides in (Auntie) Annie about her insecurities.

The children have their own issues, growing up with parents of different ethnicities the clashes of culture happen both in the home and on the outside of it. They are all spirited individuals trying to make their own way; beginning to pursue their own dreams. Though life appears overwhelming for the youngest child, Sajit, who hides from the chaos under the hood of his old parka coat.

Pictured : Amy-Leigh Hickman (Meenah), Gurjeet Singh (Tariq), Joeravar Sangha (Maneer) 
Adonis Jenieco (Saleem)  

Comment

This is a modern classic, a period piece now, with a linear narrative. It is a family story predominantly. The content flips between political seriousness and humorous people observations. There is light and shade to the tone of the piece, from the colloquial, the cheerful, and the cheeky one-liners, to scenes of frustration resulting in some physical ‘lashings out’ and one extraordinary moment of horrible violence a husband places on his wife.

The set includes the video projection of black and white photographic images of streets and shops in Northern England and signage relating to the content of the play, also some colour in Islamic designs. These appear on a number of installed screens of various sizes, designer: Bretta Gerecke. Some well sourced and manufactured (for purpose) props also feature strongly.

However, it is the language one attaches to this comedy drama that is its prize formula. The dialogue raises East is East to the popular heights it has achieved as a complete work. There were a few slips of the tongues on press night, but the players marshal the vocabulary (including the swearing) so well. They deliver the lines with energy, enthusiasm and heart. There are so many great lines in fact, and one might know them by heart already if they have watched the film a few times.

All performances are confrontational when they have to be; feeling when they have to be; and always engaging, so, congratulations to director, Iqbal Khan and teams, and well done to all members of the cast. 

Cast 

Amy-Leigh Hickman - Meenah Khan 

Irvine Iqbal - Doctor/Mr Shah 

Tony Jayawardena - George Khan 

Adonis Jenieco - Saleem Khan 

Rachel Lumberg - Auntie Annie 

Noah Manzoor - Sajit Khan 

Joeravar Sangha - Maneer Khan 

Gurjeet Singh - Tariq Khan 

Sophie Stanton - Ella Khan 

Assad Zaman - Abdul Khan 

 

**ENDS**

Review by theare critic, Debra Hall, who attended the press night performance of East is East at Birmingham Repertory Theatre 7.00pm on 10 Sept 2021.

 

References

 

Online:

Birmingham Repertory Theatre (2021) East is East A free digital programme https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/cmsUploads/show/files/East_is_East_Programme-9.pdf.

National Theatre (2021) East is East https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/east-is-east