Theatre Preview: the aromas and tastes of Persia in Hannah Khalil’s My English Persian Kitchen as Isabella Nefar stars in a drama of exile and rediscovery (with live cooking on stage) this October at Bristol Old Vic

Bristol Old Vic. Tue 14 – Sat 18 Oct, 7.30pm (2.30pm matinees)

From Diana whitehead of Fourth Wall Theatre: Isabella Nefar (Reading Lolita In Tehran, Salomé: National Theatre, Goats: Royal Court Theatre) will reprise her starring role in the hit show My English Persian Kitchen, Hannah Khalil’s life-affirming play, inspired by an original true story by best-selling cookery author Atoosa Sepehr, directed by Chris White.
The acclaimed sell-out production staged at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and London last year, tours 4 venues across 4 weeks from 30 September to 25 October, kicking off with a two-week run at Soho Theatre graduating from last year’s studio space to its Main House this Autumn. Performances follow at Bristol Old Vic with whom Soho Theatre has a long history of transfers and co-productions and where Khalil is Writer in Residence. Programmed as part of the prestigious Belfast International Arts Festival now in its 63 rd edition, the production will then tour to Dublin’s Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, and on to Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.
This evocative and timely drama chronicles one woman’s quest to start again. Forced to flee with no hope
of ever returning home, she remembers the tastes and aromas of her mother’s kitchen and begins to
lovingly recreate the dishes of her childhood and homeland and finds a new recipe for life. My English Persian Kitchen places community, identity and belonging at its very heart – all marinated in the fabulous
flavours of Persia featuring live cooking on stage and the communal sharing of the much-loved Persian dish Ash-E Reshteh.

Tickets: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/my-english-persian-kitchen

See: www.fourthwallpr.co.uk

Tour Dates:
Soho Theatre
Press Night – Thu 2 Oct, 7pm
Tue 30 Sep – Sat 11 Oct, 7pm (2.30pm matinees)

Bristol Old Vic
Tue 14 – Sat 18 Oct, 7.30pm (2.30pm matinees)
 
Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Tue 21 – Wed 22 Oct, 8pm
 
Lyric Theatre Belfast (presented by Belfast International Arts Festival)
Fri 24 – Sat 25 Oct, 8pm

CAST AND CREATIVES
Starring Isabella Nefar
Playwright: Hannah Khalil
Original Story: Atoosa Sepehr
Director: Chris White
Set Design and Costume: Pip Terry
Lighting: Marty Langthorne
Sound: Dan Balfour
Movement Direction: Jess Tucker Boyd
Running Time: 70mins, followed by a chance to stay and taste the food