East is East is playing at Bolton Octagon theatre for a few weeks. I originally thought it was a film from 1999, but it turns out it was first performed as a play at Birmingham Rep in October 1996.
A subtitle might be “and West is West, and never the twain shall meet”, as the exploration of a mixed marriage, and the religious aspects of bringing up children born in the UK but of Pakistani heritage, shows. It’s very funny in places, but there are darker serious moments, and the whole cast rises to the occasion wonderfully.
We were warned that the play is of a time when attitudes, language, and social mores were rather different to today, but I’m not so sure that’s completely true. Parents always want the best for their children, and that is true here. Things are complicated by George (Basker Patel) having another wife (and possibly family) back in Pakistan to whom he sends funds, but his long-suffering wife Ella (Samantha Power) goes along with it.
The language is a bit earthy at times, but it’s all in keeping. The discussions around circumcision had me wincing, but it’s when arranged marriages are on the horizon that tensions start to build. Even then though there is humour to be had.
The cast has considerably fewer members than the film, but that just makes things tighter, and the set, which morphs from the family home to the chip shop, and even Salford Royal Hospital is great.
All in all, East is East has stood the test of time extremely well, and this new production by Bolton Octagon does it justice.
East is East continues until October 3rd.
Ticket link – https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/east-is-east#dates-and-times
Paul Schofield for Canal Street Media.