Pauline’s new role

The actress and writer who played Mrs Doyle in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, appears as Ella Kahn in East is East coming to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury next week.

And she says her new character serves even more tea than Mrs Doyle.

Pauline said: “I thought Mrs Doyle served a lot of tea in Father Ted, but she has got nothing on this character who is constantly walking in with tea and offering it as the solution to the problems.”

East is East tells the story of Pakistani chip-shop owner George Khan who is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing against the unforgiving backdrop of 1970s Salford.

Pauline said: “People will be familiar with the film but it was actually a play first and this is what we are bringing to the stage.”

Household tension reaches breaking point in the Khan household as long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire with her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children. 

East is East, written by Ayub Khan Din, is a semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s and the clash of cultures in a multi-cultural family.

Pauline said: “I think, as it was an autobiographical piece, it was very hard for the family and the differences in the culture. They were the only Pakistani family in the street and it was very difficult for them.

“But this is a show which is a great night out and full of entertainment.”

Pauline is looking forward to bringing the show to Aylesbury for personal reasons.

She said: “My aunt and uncle actually live in Aylesbury and both were police officers so they are well known locally.

“They are coming to see the show and have a few other family and friends to see it as well. There’s a bit more pressure though when you perform it in front of people that you know rather than hundreds of strangers. I’d almost prefer the latter.”

Talk quickly turns to her iconic role in Father Ted and it is one of which she is incredibly proud.

She said: “It is always on somewhere in the world which is extraordinary. I find it amazing that the show was on 20 years ago. It doesn’t feel like it.

“There’s a whole new generation that is discovering it.

“I am also proud that some of the swear words in the show I think have actually made it into the Oxford English Dictionary.”

East is East runs from Monday June 22 to Saturday June 27. Tickets for the show cost between £10 and £36.90. To book call 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury.