East Is East returns to the London stage after 17 years

Award-winning playwright Ayub Khan-Din's first play, East Is East, which went on to become a hit film in 1999, is to return to the London stage after 17 years.

Described as a 'hilarious and ever-pertinent modern classic about growing up in multiracial England', the play will star Jane Horrocks. The Trollied and Absolutely Fabulous actress will take on the central role of Ella Khan.

Creator Ayub Khan-Din will also star in his own play for the first time. He will appear in his semi-autobiographical take on British Asian life in the 1970s as the father, George.

East Is East, starring Om Puri and Linda Bassett, was a big hit for Channel 4 Films in 1999. Made for less than £2 million, it made over £10 million at the UK box office and another £12.3 million in rentals sales. The story follows Pakistani chip-shop owner George Khan - "Genghis" to his kids - a man who is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing against the unforgiving backdrop of 1970s Salford. Household tension reaches breaking point as their long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire - her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children.

The new stage version will be directed by Sam Yates, and will run at Trafalgar Studios in London from the 4th October 2014 to 3rd January 2015. It forms part of the Trafalgar Transformed season, which also includes Martin Freeman in Richard III.

Ayub Khan-Din comments: "It's fantastic that East Is East is having its first major London revival, as part of the exciting new season at Trafalgar Transformed. East Is East will always remain a special piece for me because of its autobiographical nature and the fact that it continues to find relevance with each generation of young people that see it. I look forward to revisiting it with a new company, not just as the writer, but as an actor as well."

Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed, says: "Having announced Martin Freeman in Richard III, I am thrilled to reveal the next production of my second Trafalgar Transformed season, with more work to be announced at a later date.

"Both Richard III and East is East are powerhouse plays that provoke discussion and debate - programming that reflects our location on Whitehall, just a few steps away from the centre of British politics.

"I am overjoyed to welcome the incredibly talented Jane Horrocks, who will star in Ayub Khan-Din's modern classic, and am excited that Ayub himself has agreed to play George. This will add even more weight and authenticity to this major revival of his semi-autobiographical play."

The new production will be accompanied by a programme of 'Traf Extras', which will include "fiery debates, post-show Q&As and rehearsed readings."

Ticket, priced between £15 and £52.50, can be brought via www.trafalgartransformed.com

In this video Jane Horrocks, Sam Yates and Jamie Lloyd explain more:

Why stage the show again? This video aims to explain:

Below is a clip from the 1999 film: