Another hit production by Wiltshire Creative with Octagon Theatre Bolton,  Citizen Theatre Glasgow, and Derby Theatre is the 30th anniversary of East is East with a film version coming out in 1999.

This modern classic is written by Aynb Kan Din, who was born in 1961 to a British Pakistani father and English mother, so exactly like those in the parents in the play. He was brought up in Salford, and the play is set in Salford just north of Manchester. 

This play has a large cast as the family is mother and father plus their seven children although we never meet one of them. In addition there is Auntie Annie, the Doctor and Mr Shah. 

The tyrannical patriarch of the family is George played by Bhasker Patel who is trying to bring his family up with traditional values. His family want more western values. His wife Ella is played by Samantha Power.

The family ran a fish and chip shop where you could buy fish and chips for just 21p. Most of the family work in between going to school, college, and work. A true family run business.

The set is spot on 1970s Greater Manchester so lots of brown wall paper,  pictures of the time, kitchen wear and china. It starts in the inside the kitchen of the terraced house with the back yard with washing hanging out and coal shed. With a slight change we are moved to the fish and chip shop.

All the actors work very hard as we see their lives unfold in Salford and the challenges they face. The play is very funny and fast moving. All the characters are still relatable today although they are in the 1970s. It is exceptionally topical with immigration, integration and how Islam fits in with modern society in the news all the time. 

This modern classic is one to see today.

For more information about East  is East and future productions at Salisbury Playhouse. Please use the link below.

Four stars.