East is East at the Theatre Royal Brighton Review
East is East
Theatre Royal, Brighton
11-20 June 2015
Reviewed by Meresa Bergin
East is East tells the story of a complex man named George Khan played by Simon Nagra who moved to England in the 1930’s with big dreams and high hopes for his future but much to his despair ended up married to a white women and having his wife’s seven bastard kids! He is very much stuck in the past of how his family life should be whilst at times when it suits him embracing the West. You can tell he has a great love for his wife Ella played by Pauline Mclynn and his children but it is well hidden at times as he wants to show his neighbours and family that he is doing the best.
I first saw East is East, the film, when I was a teenager I remember being stuck by how much it was like my own family even though I am not Muslim nor did I have the demands this family had but I could relate to having things be expected of me and who I was, how I was seeking to find out who I was, not based solely where I was born or who to. I grew up in a large family and I could relate to the fighting and love shown between the siblings and the mother’s unending love for her children even when they were getting on her nerves!
So I was delighted to be asked to review the play and interested to see how it would compared to the film.
I love the set design which showed the backs of the houses and how well they used to stage to show many different places and experiences, Sajit Khan played by Adam Karm was, as he was in the film the highlight of the play for me, who can forget his line when asked how old he was “Not old enough to get married so don’t ask!” he reminded me so much of my younger brother who had a Spiderman outfit as a young boy that he refused to change out of!
Pauline was perfect as the mother and so believable, she had great chemistry with all the cast but especially with Simon who played her husband, you could see the trust they had in each other as performers and this showed a great bond between Ella and George who even though it probably was best they were not together clearly held a great love for each other.
As I have seen the film I did miss some of the scenes in it, especially seeing the Khan’s oldest son Nazir and the scenes with Tariq’s girlfriend which I found very funny in the film but I felt it was a very good effect. I was aware of how much swearing and shouting was involved but I did hear some of the people around me complaining a little about the bad language and how loud it was but I felt the play was clearly listed of what it was about.
Based in the 1970’s it could feel dated but I really don’t think it is at all, clearly time has moved on and Muslims have much more right in how they live but I think we can all still relate to wanting to seek our way in the world and having restrictions played on us in different aspects and areas of our lives.
A must see play, you will not be disappointed!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £11.90 to £39.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
East is East is at the Theatre Royal Brighton until 20 June 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7650.
Theatre Royal. New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD | 0844 871 7650
