BWW Reviews: EAST IS EAST, New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, January 14 2015

Many of us fondly remember East is East as the film that was released in 1999 - a superb comedy that also tackles the conflict of interest within a multi-cultural family. However, a lot of people are unaware that it was a play beforehand, debuting in Birmingham in October 1996, also featuring Linda Bassett as Ella, before transferring to the Royal Court Upstairs the following year. The show was writer Ayub Khan Din's first play following a successful career as an actor. We are very lucky to have the man himself starring as George in this short UK tour following a well-received run at the Trafalgar Studios.

Being a semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s, it is apparent that the character is like a second skin for Ayub Khan Din. George has a very strict persona and wants all of his children to adhere to traditional Muslim values. These include arranging marriages for sons Abdul and Tariq and circumcising his youngest son Sajit. Much-loved actress Jane Horrocks plays George's long suffering English wife Ella. She is the linchpin of the family but is caught in the middle between respecting her husband's wishes and ensuring the free will of her children. Horrocks conveys this struggle brilliantly and proves she is not only an excellent comedy actress but can attack the gritty material equally as well.

Each of the children have very different character traits. Abdul (Amit Shah) is like a second father figure but less strict, Tariq (Ashley Kumar) sees himself as English and does not agree with his father's outlook on life, Maneer (Darren Kuppan) leads by his father's example and wants to be a 'good' Muslim, Saleem (Nathan Clarke) longs to be an artist although George believes he is studying engineering, Meenah (played by understudy Deepal Parmar) is a tomboy who does not like wearing traditional Muslim clothing and Sajit (Michael Karim) will not take his Parka coat off. There is no weak link in the production; all perform with conviction and wholly embrace the material. Great support also comes from Sally Bankes as Auntie Annie, Hassani Shapi as Mr Shah and Rani Moorthy as Mrs Shah.

Tom Scutt's set design is very visually pleasing and effectively represents a run-down area of housing in Salford in the 1970s. The interior scenes are then effortlessly created by the cast during scene changes. The costumes are defined not only by the decade but also their characters whom are individually very strong due to the excellent writing. Richard Howell's lighting is situational and more than ample for the locational setting. There is nothing massively creative that can be done with the design but it is naturalistic which is required for such a piece. Sam Yates directs brilliantly and I was greatly impressed by the smoothness of transitions in particular, aided I'm sure by Georgina Lamb in charge of movement and choreography.

East is East is jam packed full of humour but is also hard hitting in places. The balance is perfectly addressed and I would greatly recommend seeing this production if you can. The production plays at the New Alexandra Theatre until 17 January 2015 before going to Richmond Theatre and Manchester Opera House.

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