Fast, furious and funny – Egusi Soup, the funny family drama from Bruntwood award-winning writer Janice Okoh, is all this and more, and it’s coming to artsdepot in North Finchley next week.

As the Anyias, a British-Nigerian family, pack their suitcases and prepare to head home to Lagos for a memorial service in honour of the late Mr Anyia, they soon realise they will need to get rid of some excess baggage first – and not just of the material kind.

Add to the mix a visit from the larger-than-life local pastor and the chaotic return of the Anyias’ eldest daughter, and family equilibrium is wholly disrupted. As deeply-held resentments dramatically resurface, only time will tell if the family can settle their differences over a nice bowl of egusi soup.

Writer Janice Okoh – who writes for Radio 4, Casualty, Doctors, EastEnders and Holby City – was inspired to write the play following the death of her father in 2004. She set out to write a play about mourning and loss but, seeing herself as a comedic writer, was determined that Egusi Soup retain its comedy.

It was also inspired by Janice’s experiences of growing up in a Nigerian family in London, something actor Gloria Onitiri, who plays Anne in the play, can also relate to.

“I’m from a Nigerian family so it really rings true,“ says Gloria, whose stage credits include The Bodyguard, Charlotte’s Web, Hair and The Lion King. “I’ve been eating egusi soup since I came out the womb.“

Egusi Soup is a spicy comedy about intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships, about love, life and loss.

It was produced by Menagerie at Soho Theatre in 2012 and proved so popular that it is touring again this spring.

“These are real people,“ Gloria continues, “a lot of this is my own past. I’ve never been to Nigeria and see myself as British. However, having said that, I don’t feel any less of a Nigerian because of that, I don’t feel like I understand it any less as it is my culture, my family, my upbringing.

“Janice writes in the way Nigerian people speak. They’re very direct. This can be confused with anger or sharpness but it’s not. Janice has got it just right. Her script is phenomenal.“

  • Egusi Soup is at artsdepot, Tally Ho Corner, Nether Street, North Finchley, on Wednesday, March 5 at 8pm. Details: 020 8369 5454, artsdepot.co.uk