When Amar Met Jay -- West Yorkshire Playhouse

Maybe it was the gorgeous summer's evening that led to such a sparse audience for this comedy about Asian life in Britain.

Which is a shame because what people missed was a play with a sunny disposition and its heart in the right place.

Hangama Productions' play focuses on the different attitudes of young buck Jay (Kevin Sherwani), who has embraced British life and Amar (Rajesh Bedi), who moved from India 25 years ago but left his heart there.

Amar wants the best for his successful daughter, Sathi (Manjeet Mann), but they clash when he arranges a marriage with a friend's son in India.

Enter the cheeky Jay, who has a different attitude to his cultural heritage and designs on Amar's youngest, Nikki (Dina Mousawi).

Elements of the play do tend towards cliche and the final meeting between Amar and Jay is a tad contrived and doesn't really say anything we haven't heard already.

But what elevates it is the fine comic writing of Steve Nijjar and Ashruf Mukadam and strong performances all round. There's even time for an affectionate Bollywood mickey take.

When Amar Met Jay is a funny and touching evening's entertainment that deserves its place in the sun.

Runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse until tomorrow.

For details phone 0113 2137700.

Richard Brgger