DINERS enjoyed a taste of the Octagon's next production when the stars of East is East got their teeth into their roles.

East is East opens next Thursday and given that the head of the Khan family in the comedy drama runs a chippy — it was only fitting the actors visited the popular restaurant Olympus and enjoyed a meal.

The iconic comedy about clashing cultures and family drama, which was made into a BAFTA award winning film is being brought to the stage by Octagon’s Associate Ben Occhipinti, who is directing a cast of stage and screen actors with the much loved Kulvinder Ghir of Goodness Gracious Me and Still Open All Hours playing George Khan.

Ben said: "East is East is a classic drama filled with comedy and great heart. Ayub Khan Din’s brilliant writing captures in intimate detail the very real tensions, and joys, of life growing up in an Anglo-Pakistani family in 1970s Salford. It cleverly explores important questions of culture and identity but through a large and diverse family of characters we can all relate to.

"I’m delighted and very excited to be bringing this story to life for Bolton audiences with a fantastic cast of talented actors, several of whom will be performing at The Octagon for the first time."

And the stars say they are excited to bring the play to the stage.

Shila Iqbal, who plays Meenah said: "It’s an iconic film, you grow up watching that and it is a funny film that you just love.

"The cast is brilliant, Kulvinder is playing my dad. I’ve worked with him for the third time now.

“He’s a legend.He just brings something new every time. It inspires you."

She added: "I got asked is it still relevant, actually I think it is even more relevant now.

"I think that with everything that is going on in the media, with Islamophobia and the hate crimes around it I think it is more relevant now. People would want to watch it now and relate to it, people might want to watch it and think what is this about or people might want to watch it and think I identify with that.

"It’s a comedy but at the same time it’s a tragedy. There are such funny moments gong on then bam — you come back down and reality hits.

"When we did the full run, we were all in bits at the end of it."

Akshay Gulati, who plays her brother Tariq, is returning to the Octagon after starring in The Family Way.

"I’m really happy to be back. I like the fact that working with directors like Elizabeth Newman and Ben you're given such freedom where you can just express yourself," said Akshay, "the main difference between the film and the play is there are loads of characters in the film whereas the play focuses on everyone has their moment to shine and you get to see the family as a proper unit.

"Our colleague she said something really interesting, saying that all off those movements, the powerful moments in the show, even the laughs we have to earn them throughout the play because it is not just about the comedy and its not just about the shocking moments, its about family."

Shila said: "It’s East is East, it’s the play but I think we have certainly brought a fresh vibe to it.

"I don’t even think it identifies to one certain group, actually it relates to everyone especially with the EU and the Brexit situation — the struggle, that identity clash, that sense of belonging and acceptance."

The play runs from March 19 to April 14.