Reviewed by Sophie Rowley

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Family, culture and identity collide in Ayub Khan-Din’s East Is East, the story that first introduced audiences to the unforgettable Khan family in 1996 in stage form, followed by the iconic 1999 film. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Salford and drawing on Khan-Din’s own experiences, the story explores the sometimes hilarious and sometimes painful consequences of trying to belong to two worlds at once. 

At the centre of the story are George and his wife Ella, as they try to navigate family life while balancing traditional Pakistani culture with the changing attitudes of their British-born children. At the heart of the story is the constant conflict between generations and cultures, as George attempts to uphold traditional values within a family eager to move with the times and embrace modern British life.

Well before the acclaimed 1999 film, East Is East was a seminal British play which premiered at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October 1996. Its success paved the way for multiple West End runs before eventually making its transition to the big screen. Now, marking the 30th anniversary of the original theatre production, Kash Arshad brings Ayub Khan-Din’s much-loved tale to life at The Octagon Bolton.

Having Kash Arshad direct this production feels particularly fitting, as, like Khan-Din, Arshad was brought up by a Pakistani father and British mother. That shared experience informs the production’s approach to the complex relationship between culture, identity and family, allowing Arshad to explore these themes with a genuine understanding of their emotional weight. His direction never allows the cultural conflict to become simply a vehicle for comedy; beneath the laughter sits a palpable sense of tension, love and frustration. It is this balance that gives the production its authenticity, as Arshad understands that, at its heart, East Is East is not simply a story about two cultures colliding, but about a family trying to find its place between them.

Alongside Arshad, Olivia Barr and Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn have done an equally impressive job with the casting of this production. George Khan (Bhasker Patel), the patriarch of the family, is often labelled the villain, but Patel does not simply present him as such. Instead, he brings a complexity to George that goes beyond the surface image of an authoritarian father. Patel suggests a man who is scared and paranoid alongside being violently controlling, creating an underlying anxiety that George himself seems unable to comprehend. It is a wonderfully layered performance, and through Patel, Arshad and Khan-Din’s vision of George is brought vividly to life. Balancing this torment is George’s long-suffering wife, Ella Khan, played superbly by Samantha Power. As the matriarch of the family, Power really lives up to her name, giving Ella an undeniable strength that runs throughout the production. She becomes a metaphorical shield for her children, protecting them from George’s demands without allowing this to destroy her relationship with him. It is this strength that makes Ella such a compelling presence within the family.

The Khan children are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the production. Tariq Khan (Zaki Ali) is devilishly rogue, exactly as you would hope him to be, while Meenah Khan (Maya Dhokia) is outspoken and confidently knows her own mind. Reprising his role from the National Theatre run in 2021, Joeravar Sangha plays Maneer Khan with a wonderful sense of devotion and tradition. In a family full of chaos, he brings a calmness and balance to the Khan household. Abdul Khan (Danyal Ismail) and Saleem Khan (Matthew Khan) provide the audience with seemingly unlimited laughs, particularly Saleem, whose use of physical comedy makes him a delight to watch. But the standout sibling has to be Sajit Khan (Rohan MacLeod). His quick wit and infectious humour are addictive to watch, while Sajit’s iconic Parker jacket acts almost as a shield from his siblings’ jabs and teasing. The chemistry between the children feels completely natural, capturing the chaos, affection and teasing that are so recognisable within a family dynamic. It is this chemistry that makes the Khan household feel so authentic and helps demonstrate why East Is East has continued to resonate with audiences. There are also notable performances from Victoria Brazier as Auntie Annie and Sushil Chudasama, who takes on the dual roles of Mr Shah and the Doctor, alongside off-stage swings Zoe Iqbal and Rahul Sidhu.

All of the above is enabled by The Octagon itself. The staging of East Is East is very well executed, creating seamless scene transitions and allowing the audience to watch the Khan family in their frantic life. This makes the presentation of 1970s Salford particularly exciting to watch. Visually, you feel the chaos of the Khan household before a word is spoken; the surroundings almost become characters in their own right.The chip shop is presented as a gritty working-class establishment, and when the entire family occupies the space, it creates an almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The Khan family home is equally evocative of the period, filled with details that immediately transport us to 1970s Salford. This attention to the period is carried through into the costumes, with classic staples of the era including high collars and paisley prints. Together, the creative team have created an intimate and instantly recognisable world for the Khan family to inhabit. The combination of the staging, detailed set and period costumes brings both Khan-Din’s original vision and Arshad’s interpretation of it vividly to life.

Thirty years on, the Khan family have lost none of their ability to make us laugh, wince and occasionally wonder how on earth George manages to keep everyone under one roof! Yet beneath the chaos, East Is East remains a deeply human story about family, identity, culture and belonging. Arshad’s personal connection to the material shines through, while the superb ensemble and intimate staging at The Octagon make this a production that feels both authentic and wonderfully alive.

Funny, poignant and packed with characters you cannot help but become invested in, East Is East proves that although times may change, family will always be family. The Khan household may be chaotic, but after thirty years, it is still a very welcome place to visit.

East is East is on at The Octagon until Saturday 3rd October tickets are available here.