My English Persian Kitchen at Soho Theatre Review
Written by Philip for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: Domestic Violence
Following its acclaimed 2024 run, Hannah Khalil’s ‘My English Persian Kitchen’ makes a triumphant return to the Soho Theatre — and what a glorious return it is.
Inspired by the life of cookbook author and nutritional therapist Atoosa Sepehr, the play introduces us to an unnamed woman quietly chopping onions as the audience enters. She is preparing Ash-e Reshteh, a traditional Iranian noodle soup, for an unspecified “them.” As the ingredients begin to simmer, so too does her story — one of loss, longing, resilience, and ultimately, hope.
What unfolds is a poignant monologue charting the protagonist’s escape from an abusive marriage, and her flight to England under the threat of losing her passport. Uprooted and alone in a foreign land, she begins to stitch her identity back together through the familiar rituals of cooking. Fragrant herbs, fried garlic, and saffron-laced memories fill the air, each ingredient unlocking fragments of a life left behind. Food becomes both anchor and compass — a bridge between two worlds.
Khalil finds relatability in a harrowing story. She crafts a narrative that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Her writing weaves culinary tradition with cultural displacement in a way that feels effortless, poetic, and disarmingly human. The play does, at times, lose narrative focus as it progresses — tension simmers but never quite reaches a full boil — yet it remains compelling throughout.
Visually, the production is a triumph. Pip Terry’s set — a cluttered, lived-in kitchen lined with jars of herbs and spices — is brought to life by Marty Langthorne’s exceptional lighting design. The transformation of the space is subtle but masterful: from the warm amber glow of the kitchen, to the sterile white lights of an immigration checkpoint, to haunting slivers of illumination that isolate the woman’s eyes. Each lighting choice feels purposeful and precise. Under Chris White’s direction, the entire creative team works in harmonious collaboration, with every element informed by and in service to the story.
At the heart of the production is a magnetic performance by Isabella Nefar. She commands the stage with quiet intensity and grace, seamlessly navigating the dual demands of storytelling and live cooking. Her portrayal is tender yet fierce — embodying the vulnerability, tenacity, and dignity of a woman carving a place for herself in an unfamiliar world. Nefar’s performance is nothing short of captivating; she is, quite simply, a force.
As the play reaches its heartfelt conclusion, the audience is invited to share in the Ash-e Reshteh that has been prepared throughout the performance. It’s a gesture both symbolic and sincere — a communal act of nourishment that lingers long after the final line.
My English Persian Kitchen is a deeply moving, sensorial piece of theatre that reminds us of food’s extraordinary power — to heal, to connect, and to tell stories when words fall short. If you have the chance, don’t miss this beautiful and affecting production at the Soho Theatre.
‘My English Persian Kitchen’ runs at Soho Theatre until 11th October 2025
★★★★
