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'Northern audiences are so good'

Helen Clifton
13/ 2/2008

FROM the West End to the Lowry, Helen Clifton takes it softly, softly with leading lady Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi…

THEATREGOERS who enjoyed the Northern wit and humour of Salford-born author Ayub Khan-Din’s East is East will be delighted to hear his new work is finally moving up north.

Fresh from performing to full houses and critical acclaim in the National Theatre, Rafta Rafta is the tale of the ins and outs of a close-knit Bolton Anglo-Asian family and newly married couple, Vina and Atul, all living under the same roof.

But Atul’s inability to perform his conjugal rites and his subsequent frustration – as well as his bride’s increasing anger – leads to rising tensions within the household, testing the strength of all the couples in the house.

Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, 24, plays the blushing bride who gives her husband what for when he is playing Playstation instead of paying attention to her.

The Anglo-Iranian actress describes herself as, "Manchester born and bred," but has insider knowledge of Bolton after years training in the town’s Octagon theatre.

She explains that the title is the name of a traditional Indian song which translates as ‘Slowly, Slowly’ – a reference to the fact that the new groom cannot, erm, ‘get it on’ with his ravishing virgin bride.

"I think it’s something that Ayub listened to when he was writing the piece," she says. "It basically means that all will happen in good time. It’s an old song, but some of the cast members have heard of it."

Rokhsaneh insists that Rafta Rafta is much more lighthearted than East is East – a play which is often remembered for its northern playfulness and wit, but also explored the more difficult side of multiculturalism.

She adds: "I think it is the same in the sense that it is a northern comedy and there is very much that sense of a northern feeling to it.

"But there was something very dark about the portrayal of family life in East is East, especially the violence. But this is a comedy. It really doesn’t deal with the same issues."

But Rokhsaneh insists Rafta Rafta still has the courage to take on serious subjects.

"The tension between the newlyweds seeps through the house and brings out the tension between the fathers and mothers and brothers. It is a catalyst and things get very taut. It brings it all to the surface," she says.

"But ultimately, we have three couples that do what they have to to stay together, despite the fact that big things have happened and a lot has gone wrong."

But is Khan-Din attempting to airbrush out some of the complex issues arising out of the clash of modern and traditional cultures?

Rokhsaneh doesn’t think so. "I think the reason why he decided to do this was because he just fell in love with the original that was made into a film," she says. "He sat there laughing at it and vowed to make it into a play himself.

"He spoke to the National Theatre and I don’t think they ever expected to see it – but two years later he had the script."

In a cultural role reversal, the play is based on the film of Bill Naughton’s 1966 play All in Good Time, about a newlywed couple forced to live with the family.

"What is great about this production is that it makes it believable that it is set within an Indian family," Rokhsaneh explains. "But at the same time, those issues and that tension is very recognisable in myself or anybody else.

"It is very human. It doesn’t matter where you are from. It is really just a family comedy."

So, we can hope that the Northern stoicism of the family and the bonds that tie them together triumph in the end – and Rokhsaneh hopes that this very Northern of plays will find a particularly welcome home in Manchester.

"I think the audience will approach the humour in a totally different way. At least, I hope we have full seats – people find it difficult to laugh if they have empty sat next to them! Northern audiences just get every single joke. They just understand it so much better," she says.

So it seems that Khan-Din’s homecoming is all set to be a triumph – and as with East is East, he manages to make some serious points while providing enough laughter to ensure any audience is entertained.

Rafta, Rafta is at The Lowry from Tuesday, February 19 until February 23.