A COMEDY stage drama composed by a playwright and broadcaster originally from Keighley has embarked on its second tour.

The Chef Show, which enjoyed a hugely successful run at venues across northern England last year, was written by Nick Ahad.

The innovative play is set in a Bangladeshi "Indian" restaurant in a rural village in Yorkshire, and features food being cooked live on stage, with members of the audience able to taste the end product.

Mr Ahad explained the play's producer, Stefan Escreet, had the idea for the show after being inspired by a cookery demonstration in Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, staged by Bangladeshi restaurant staff.

Mr Escreet first approached Mr Ahad about the idea in 2016.

Mr Ahad said: "We spent a couple of weeks researching the concept by travelling around restaurants in the Lake District, meeting people and eating curries. It wasn't the hardest job I've ever done!

"My dad is Bangladeshi and he had a restaurant in Leeds when I was kid. He also had a takeaway in Keighley, where I used to work and that gave me an insight into what the trade is like.

"I was able to draw on my own personal experience when I wrote the play.

"The on-stage cooking element means this is like 4D theatre. There's something very special about creating a fictional restaurant where you can even smell and taste what is made in the kitchen."

As part of its second tour The Chef Show is coming to Skipton on March 20. It will again include food being cooked on stage, this time by guest chef Yazi from Skipton-based catering business, Amaali.

Mr Ahad, who lives in Bradford but still has family in Keighley, said last year's tour had been a big hit, with extra performances being put on to meet demand.

He added: "That tour was mainly around the north and it went so well that we wanted to bring the show back. We were very pleased with the reaction we got.

"This year is our first national tour, as we're taking the show to places such as Wales, Dorset and Suffolk.

"It's great to have a chance to put the play in front of audiences across the country, and I'm really chuffed that it's coming to Yorkshire. It means a lot to me.

"I'll actually be busy presenting on the radio the night the play is in Skipton, but my sister will be going to see it."

The production sees two actors – Kamal Kaan and Rohit Gokani – play 14 different roles, including those of the customers and co-workers.

In amongst its humorous elements, the drama also deals with themes of belonging, immigration and cultural clashes.

It examines the way in which people perceive Bangladeshis and attitudes to Indian food, and explores the peculiar situation of isolated groups of South Asian restaurant staff working in largely white villages or small rural towns.

Mr Ahad has his own show on BBC Radio Leeds and was previously arts editor for the Yorkshire Post.

The Chef Show takes place on Tuesday March 20 in Skipton Town Hall at 6.30pm. Call the box office on 01756 792809 for tickets.