A life-affirming new play filled with the mouth-watering flavours of Iran, with live cooking!
‘85% of Iranian women are well educated. Of course we don’t cook. We work. We are professionals. As successful as the men.”
What would you take if you were forced to leave home with no hope of returning? How would you make a fresh start somewhere completely new? This is the true story about one woman who loses everything.
Following a sold out and acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Soho Theatre and Traverse Theatre are proud to present the London Transfer of My English Persian Kitchen, Hannah Khalil’s life-affirming new play, from an original story by Atoosa Sepehr, directed by Chris White, opening at the Soho Theatre for a three-week run from 16 September to 5 October.
This is a drama about one woman’s quest to start again. Forced to flee with no hope of ever returning home, our heroine finds herself in an unfamiliar place. Longing for the tastes and aromas of her mother’s kitchen she starts to lovingly recreate the dishes of her childhood and homeland, and in doing so builds a welcoming community around food and discovers a new recipe for life.
Inspired by the true story of best-selling cookery book author Atoosa Sepehr, My English Persian Kitchen is a timely play which places community, identity and belonging at its very heart - all marinated in the fabulous flavours of Persia.
Isabella Nefar stars in this solo show which involves live cooking on stage of a much loved Persian dish Ash-E Reshteh and communal sharing with the audience of Persian food.
Director Chris White comments: “Hannah has created a play that not only captures Atoosa's story, but her voice; sometimes verbatim and at other times the essence and spirit of it. To direct a play with such variety of language, and which touches different theatrical styles, is particularly appealing to me. Most of all though, My English Persian Kitchen is a chance to renew an ancient and timely ritual of one person telling a story to a group of people who all share food together.”
“Masterfully staged and brilliantly acted” ***** Entertainment Now
“utterly sensational” ***** The Quintessential Review
Listings
Where: Soho Theatre, Upstairs, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE
Dates: 16 Sept – 5 Oct 2024; Times: 6.45pm
Running Time: 70mins; Prices: £16
Booking Link: My English Persian Kitchen - Soho Theatre
Further Information: What's On - Dean Street - Soho Theatre