At the heart of East Is East is a family trying to find its way and discover its identity in 1970s Salford.

And as such it is how the ensemble combines together which is essential to making the play work.

Fortunately director Sam Yates has brought together a great cast of young actors to fill the six youthful roles, who act as perfect foils to Simon Nagra’s frustrated dad George, and Pauline McLynn’s embattled mother Ella.

Set against a beautifully realised backdrop resembling the back streets of Salford’s terraces, the play looks at still-pertinent issues such as identity, culture clash and family loyalty, albeit with a vein of knockabout humour.

Ella’s Manchester life, expressed in her naturalistic conversation with friend Auntie Annie (brilliantly played by Sally Bankes), contrasts strongly with the more authoritarian regime George instils in his home.

The funniest scenes come when the two worlds rub together, especially when George is trying to arrange his sons’ marriages to the “belting” Shah daughters.

When the play takes a more serious tack though it doesn’t always work – particularly when George’s frustration finally bubbles over. Seeing the violence on stage feels more comical than the true horror of what he is inflicting on those not strong enough to fight back.

Four stars