Review: East Is East (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

East Is East (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd June 2015

★★★★

Set in Salford in the early 1970s, East Is East is touring the UK following its run in the West End last year as part of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season. A hugely iconic play about growing up in multiracial England, Ayub Khan Din's 1996 play remains remarkably relevant today.

Fresh from a stint in EastEnders, Pauline McLynn takes over from Jane Horrocks as Ella Khan, a mother who would do anything for her children. McLynn delves less into the character's vulnerable side, taking to the stage with immense strength throughout. She grows with the piece, with her act two outburst bringing the house down.

Simon Nagra takes over as George (played by writer Ayub Khan Din during the West End run), a father who wants the best for his family but struggles to deal with growing stress and high levels of expectation from his community. As tensions build he takes the play to a darker place, with passion and love developing into violence and aggression.

Full casting announced for East Is East UK Tour

Final casting has been announced for the UK Tour of East Is East.

Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) complete the cast.

They join the previously announced Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) as well as original West End cast members Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan). The cast also includes Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie).

Pauline McLynn to star in UK Tour of Trafalgar Transformed's East Is East

It has been announced that Pauline McLynn (Father Ted/EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Sam Yates' production of East is East by Ayub Khan Din.

Following its West End run at Trafalgar Studios as part of Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season, the play will embark on a sixteen week national tour opening in Brighton on 11th June 2015. East is East is designed by Tom Scutt with lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by Alex Baranowski.

McLynn will be joined by some of the original cast from the West End production of East is East including Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan), Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie). The full cast will be announced shortly.

Review: The Ruling Class at Trafalgar Studios starring James McAvoy

The Ruling Class
Trafalgar Studios
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th January 2015
★★★★

James McAvoy

The Ruling Class premiered in 1968 at the Nottingham Playhouse before transferring to the West End. Although Peter Barnes' play was adapted into a movie a few years later, the piece was never revived... until now. 

Wild and unpredictable, The Ruling Class is a crazy play - it is probably the most bonkers show I have ever seen. Countless times I found myself taken aback by just how far it dares to go; there are absolutely no boundaries. 

Be prepared to see James McAvoy as you've never seen him before. The actor - who returns to Trafalgar Transformed following his acclaimed performance in Macbeth - stars as Jack, a paranoid schizophrenic. Following the death of his father, the character becomes the 14th Earl of Gurney and finds himself well and truly out of his depth. 

The Ruling Class can be viewed in many different ways as there is so much to be dissected and evaluated; I can't even begin to imagine the post-show discussions audiences will be having as they leave the theatre each night. At the play's heart is a big power struggle, but that is only scratching the surface.

Sneak peek at... Jamie Lloyd's production of The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy

Pictures of James McAvoy and the cast of The Ruling Class rehearsing the production have been released. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, The Ruling Class runs at Trafalgar Studios, marking McAvoy's return to Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season. 

The show also stars Ron Cook, Kathryn Drysdale, Joshua McGuire and Anthony O'Donnell and features Michael Cronin, Serena Evans, Paul Leonard, Elliot Levey and Forbes Masson. The ensemble includes: Rosy Benjamin, Andrew Bloomer and Oliver Lavery.

The Ruling Class opens on 27th January (previews from 16th January) and runs until 11th April 2015. Design is by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Jon Clarkand and sound by Ben and Max Ringham. Choreography is by Darren Carnall with musical direction by Huw Evans.

Full casting announced for The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy

Full casting has been announced for Jamie Lloyd's production of The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy. The production, which runs at Trafalgar Studios, marks McAvoy's return to Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season. 

Ron Cook, Kathryn Drysdale, Joshua McGuire and Anthony O'Donnell will star alongside McAvoy in The Ruling Class. The cast will also feature: Michael Cronin, Serena Evans, Paul Leonard, Elliot Levey and Forbes Masson. The ensemble includes: Rosy Benjamin, Andrew Bloomer and Oliver Lavery.

James McAvoy stars in The Ruling Class: further information announced

Last night it was revealed that James McAvoy will return to Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season to star in a revival of The Ruling Class.

Following his performance in Macbeth, which launched the first Trafalgar Transformed season and earned him an Olivier award nomination for Best Actor, McAvoy will play Jack, the 14th Earl of Gurney, in the first revival of Peter Barnes’ satirical comedy. Lloyd directs.

The production opens on 27th January (previews from 16th January) and runs until 11th April 2015. Design is by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Jon Clarkand sound by Ben and Max Ringham.

Jamie Lloyd directs James McAvoy in revival of The Ruling Class

It has been revealed by the Daily Mail that James McAvoy will star in The Ruling Class.

Directed by Jamie Lloyd as part of his Trafalgar Transformed season, the production will run at Trafalgar Studios between 16th January and 11th April 2015. Peter Barnes’s play won the Evening Standard’s Best Drama Award in 1969.

The Ruling Class will conclude the second season of Trafalgar Transformed. McAvoy previously starred in Trafalgar Transformed's production of Macbeth, which was also directed by Lloyd.

Review: East Is East at Trafalgar Studios

East Is East
Trafalgar Studios
Reviewed on Thursday 16th October 2014
★★★★

A hugely iconic play about growing up in multiracial England, East Is East is a tremendous piece which perfectly slides into Jamie Lloyd's second Trafalgar Transformed season. Sam Yates directs the production, marking his West End directorial debut, and has done a fine job.

East is East to tour following West End run

It has been announced that Sam Yates' production of East is East (which begins previews at Trafalgar Studios on Saturday) will embark on a short tour after its West End run concludes on 3rd January 2015.

The production, which runs as part of Jamie Lloyd’s second Trafalgar Transformed season at Trafalgar Studios, will tour to the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham (14-17 January), Richmond Theatre (19-24 January) and Manchester Opera House (26-31 January).

East is East stars the multi award-winning stage and screen star Jane Horrocks as Ella and the award-winning playwright Ayub Khan Din himself, as her husband George.

Full casting announced for Trafalgar Transformed's East is East

Full casting has been announced for Trafalgar Transformed's production of East is East at Trafalgar Studios. 

Amit Shah (Abdul Khan), Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan), Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan), Nathan Clarke (Saleem Khan), Taj Atwal (Meenah Khan) and Michael Karim (Sajit Khan) join the previously announced Jane Horrocks (Ella Khan) and playwright Ayub Khan Din (George Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family.

The Khans are joined by Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie), Rani Moorthy (Mrs. Shah) and Hassani Shapi (Mr Shah/Doctor). Ash Rizi, Karl Seth, Deepal Parmar and Pamela Bennett (Ensemble) complete the cast.

Review: Richard III at Trafalgar Studios (Trafalgar Transformed)

Richard III 
Trafalgar Studios (Trafalgar Transformed)
Reviewed on Tuesday 8th July 2014
★★★

Following the huge success of its inaugural season last year, Trafalgar Transformed is back. Last year's season opened with James McAvoy starring as the title role in Macbeth, and now Martin Freeman is making his Shakespearean stage debut as the title character in Richard III.

It seems everybody has an opinion as to how Richard III should be portrayed. He may be a power seeking, ruthless, delusional monster, but the character has complex moments and shouldn't just be hated throughout.

Freeman's performance is interesting as the character's ruthlessness doesn't dominate; instead it is the subtleties in his performance, and the evil twinkle in his eyes, which highlight Richard's twisted mind. 

Freeman dares to be different which some may not like, but his portrayal enables you to look at Richard in a new way. The quirks in Freeman's performance are evident from the start, but perhaps this uneasiness could be held back at first to enable the character to eventually unravel further. The only other element of Freeman's performance which doesn’t feel right is his lack of unpredictability.

East is East at Trafalgar Transformed: Further information announced

Award-winning playwright Ayub Khan Din’s first play, East is East, which premiered at the Royal Court and was later turned into a much-loved feature film, returns to the London stage after 17 years.

The hilarious and ever-pertinent modern classic about growing up in multiracial England will star Jane Horrocks (Young Vic’s Annie Get Your Gun/Absolutely Fabulous) as Ella Khan, one of the greatest female roles written for modern theatre.

Khan Din himself steps into his semi-autobiographical take on British Asian life in the 1970s – a play that continues to resonate and provoke discussion – to play her husband, George “Genghis” Khan.

Ayub Khan-Din & Jane Horrocks to star in East Is East; Sam Yates directs for Trafalgar Transformed

It has been confirmed that Ayub Khan-Din and Jane Horrocks will star in East Is East at Trafalgar Studios. The production will run as part of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season in October. However, Sam Yates will direct the production.

The production runs between Saturday 4th October 2014 and Saturday 3rd January 2015.

Further casting was announced for Trafalgar Transformed's production of Richard III starring Martin Freeman earlier this week.

Further casting announced for Richard III starring Martin Freeman

Further casting has been announced for Jamie Lloyd's production of Richard III at Trafalgar Studios.

Gina McKee will play Queen Elizabeth alongside the previously announced Martin Freeman as Richard III in Jamie Lloyd’s first production of his second Trafalgar Transformed season. Richard III opens at Trafalgar Studios on 8th July (preveiws from 1st July) and runs until 27th September.

Martin Freeman stars in Richard III: Further information announced

Further information has been announced about Richard III starring Martin Freeman, the first production of Jamie Lloyd’s second season for Trafalgar Transformed at Trafalgar Studios. 

The production will run from 1st July until 27th September 2014, following Lloyd’s critically acclaimed first season for Trafalgar Transformed, which launched with Macbeth starring James McAvoy. The season also saw successful runs of The Hothouse, starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale, and The Pride, starring Hayley Atwell and Mathew Horne.

Jamie Lloyd said: "I am thrilled to be returning to our transformed space at Trafalgar Studios and am delighted to kick off our second season with Shakespeare's astonishing power play, Richard III. Last year, through our £15 Mondays scheme, a staggering 51% of the audience was comprised of first-time theatregoers, targeted with the help of organisations like the inspiring Mousetrap Theatre Projects (of which I am now a patron). 

Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed returns with Richard III starring Martin Freeman

Sherlock and Hobbit star Martin Freeman (pictured right) will star in Richard III at Trafalgar Studios. The production marks the return of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season.

Further information has been announced. Click here for more.

Last year Lloyd staged critically acclaimed productions of Macbeth, The Hothouse and The Pride. Most recently he directed the West End productions of The Commitments and Urinetown and is currently working on the stage adaptation of Back to the Future.

Rehearsals for Richard III will begin by late May or early June of this year. Performances are set to begin in July, with the show running until September. Tickets are expected to go on sale in the next seven to ten days.

Editor's Blog: Top 10 Theatrical Events of 2013

Not only has 2013 been a huge year for high profile theatre openings but it has also seen some spectacular theatrical events take place in London's West End. As Editor of West End Frame most of my evenings are spent reviewing new openings so it always makes a nice change to review a one-off concert or to go to the theatre on a night off to celebrate a show or a cast leaving. 

From last nights to West End stars being born and attending unforgettably stagy concerts, below are my ten personal favourite theatrical events of 2013.  

10. Beverley Knight Joins The Bodyguard

October 2013

Photo Credit: Dan Wooller

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was announced that soul diva Beverley Knight was taking over as Rachel Marron in the West End production of The Bodyguard. It wasn't until I arrived at her star-studded media night performance that I realised just how much excitement there was surrounding her casting. I had seen the show once before with Heather Headley in the lead role and enjoyed the performance, but Beverley takes the show to a whole new level. She brought the house down and leads the cast as if she has been performing in the West End for years. Watching her storm on stage on media night was one of the most exciting theatrical events of the year, a real 'a star in born' moment.

Gossip: Almeida Theatre's Ghosts transfers to Trafalgar Studios, Jamie Lloyd's season to return next year

According to the Daily Mail, the Almeida Theatre's production of Ghosts will transfer to Trafalgar Studios from 9th December for a limited West End season. 

This means that Jamie Lloyd's first West End season 'Trafalgar Transformed' will end sooner than planned. However, Baz Bamigboye has claimed that Lloyd will return with a new season next Spring, after he has directed the West End premiere of Urinetown at the St James Theatre.

Lloyd's production of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride starring Hayley Atwell, Harry Hadden-Patton, Al Weaver and Matthew Horne will end Trafalgar Transformed on 23rd November. The production will then tour the UK next year, visiting Manchester, Richmond and Brighton.

Review: Mrs Lowry and Son at Trafalgar Studios 2

Mrs Lowry and Son 
Trafalgar Studios 2
Reviewed on Friday 1st November 2013

I've seen many shows inside Trafalgar Studio's slightly cramped, smaller space, but I have never enjoyed one so much as Mrs Lowry and Son, a new play by Martyn Hesford. The piece, which marks Tackroom Theatre's debut production, is based on the life of artist L.S. Lowry and delves into his relationship with his elderly mother.