EAST IS EAST Traf Extra Events Announced

To coincide with Ayub Khan Din's critically acclaimed hit play East is East, directed by Sam Yates, and starring Jane Horrocks and Ayub Khan Din himself, there will be a range of Traf Extra events including a panel discussion on Diversity And The Arts and Stories Unplugged: An Open Mic Night, with further events announced in due course.

Traf Extras are an array of fiery debates, masterclasses and rehearsed readings that accompany each Jamie Lloyd Productions for Trafalgar Transformed production and are designed specifically to highlight issues raised by each piece. By engaging with the world outside the theatre's walls, Traf Extras help to stimulate open debate and dialogue around the issues central to each play, inspiring a deeper connection with the onstage action.

EAST IS EAST - TRAF EXTRAS

DIVERSITY AND THE ARTS - A PANEL DISCUSSION
Join an outstanding panel of guests as they ask:
Does diversity in the arts play any part in improving racial or gender equality in society?

Awarding-winning music producer Naughty Boy, renowned socio-political comic Imran Yusuf, highly acclaimed actress and artistic director of Rasa theatre company Rani Moorthy, award-winning playwright and co-Artistic Director of groundbreaking theatre company Tamasha Fin Kennedy, and panel chair - prolific journalist and broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor - meet on the set of East is East to discuss the many ways in which the arts influence our social attitudes, and why it is vital that we work with the arts to champion diversity and equality more widely in society today.

DATE Thursday 6 November
TIME Post show - Approximately 30 minutes
WHERE Trafalgar Studios - Studio One
TICKET PRICE Free with any full price ticket to East is East

STORIES UNPLUGGED - OPEN MIC NIGHT
Join British comedians and actors Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar (both of Meet the Kumars at No.42 and Goodness Gracious Me fame), with other guests announced in due course, for our very special open mic Traf Extra Event - Stories Unplugged.

Hear some of Britain's most renowned comedians, lyricists and storytellers share their personal stories in the intimate Trafalgar Studios as we celebrate aspects of individuality, community and history, and how they shape our identity.

We want your stories too! This is an open mic night where all are welcome to get involved! You can sit back, listen and enjoy, or if you've got a story you'd like to tell, please bring it along and prepare to share!

DATE Friday 28 November
TIME Post Show - Approximately 30 minutes
WHERE Trafalgar Studios - Studio One
TICKET PRICE Free with any full price ticket to East is East

East is East is currently running at Trafalgar Studios as part of Jamie Lloyd's second Trafalgar Transformed season, until 3 January, before embarking on a limited UK tour until 31 January 2015.

East is East, Ayub Khan Din's semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s and the clash of cultures between a multi-cultural family growing up in Salford, is a play that continues to resonate and provoke discussion.

Pakistani chip-shop owner George Khan - "Genghis" to his kids - is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing against the unforgiving backdrop of 1970s Salford. Household tension reaches breaking point as their long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire - her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children.

This second season of work produced by Jamie Lloyd Productions, continues a partnership between acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd and Ambassador Theatre Group. Richard III, starring Martin Freeman, East is East and The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy follow Jamie Lloyd's dynamic first Trafalgar Transformed season, which launched with Macbeth starring James McAvoy, followed by The Hothouse, starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale and The Pride, starring Hayley Atwell, Mathew Horne, Harry Hadden-Paton and Al Weaver.

Once again, the Trafalgar Transformed season will offer £15 Monday tickets for all productions, applicable on all seating, further encouraging first-time theatregoers to experience the exciting programming at the venue.