From the makers of Britain’s Got Bhangra (Oxford Playhouse, 2010), this fast-paced, witty and visually spectacular musical blends Bollywood music with British pop and West End flair.
Oxford Playhouse is delighted to welcome Rifco Theatre Company back to the city with the smash hit musical, Frankie Goes to Bollywood. Prepare to get swept up in the dazzling world of Indian cinema as this entrancing spectacle comes to the Oxford stage from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June.
Drawing inspiration from the world’s largest film industry, Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a feast of music, dance and stardom. Beneath the glamour, it explores the high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced and women are expected to play by the rules. Oxford audiences can expect a moving tale of ambition, identity and finding your voice in the spotlight.
Frankie Goes to Bollywood is produced by Rifco Theatre Company in association with BEAM Hertford. Created and directed by Pravesh Kumar, the show’s creative team includes Niraj Chag (Songs & Music) and Tasha Taylor Johnson (Songs & Lyrics), with new original songs written by Bollywood hitmaker Harry Anand
Pravesh Kumar MBE, Artistic Director of Rifco Theatre Company and director of the production, said: “At its core, the show explores the idea of belonging. In the UK, British-born South Asian people are often still viewed as immigrants, regardless of how many generations their families have lived here. For some, pursuing a career in Bollywood – whether in front of or behind the camera – can feel like a kind of homecoming. Yet, being British-born and new to much of the culture, many women entering the Bollywood industry quickly become aware of the deeply ingrained sexism, not only within the system itself but also in the stories portrayed on screen. They are then faced with the challenge of how much of that disparity they are willing to tolerate, and how they can contribute to change.
I have an enduring love for Bollywood – its vibrancy, its artistry, and its people – and this musical is, at its heart, a tribute to that world. But loving something doesn’t mean overlooking its flaws. My hope is that this work serves as a small catalyst for progress: for greater respect, recognition, and equality for women across the industry, both on screen and behind the scenes.”
For more than 25 years, Rifco has toured new plays and musicals nationwide. Their vibrant productions uphold the company’s mission to celebrate and reflect contemporary British Asian experiences, culture and society.
To book tickets, contact the Box Office on 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com
Images (c) Rich Lakos/ArenaPAL
