Comedic romp in Bollywood style

Photo: Nicola Young

SOPHIE Kandola leads a dance

A STUNNING celebration of the Bollywood film industry is coming to Oldham.

Created by Samir Bhamra, Bring On The Bollywood is a comedic romp of East meets West. Bringing a festival of colour and Bollywood magic in a major new nationwide tour, the show brings audiences new and old together for this delightfully romantic riot of Anglo-Indian exuberance.

Having lived in London for 14 years, Dr. Katrina Pawar is summoned to her ancestral home, the shabby and un-chic Lakshman Villa, for her younger brother's wedding. Sensing an opportunity to finally make a match for their last unmarried child during the festivities, Katrina's parents search for a potential suitor for their quick-witted and resolute daughter.

As the good-looking Bollywood film director Amit arrives at Lakshman Villa, along with his newly-eligible British personal assistant Ronny, Katrina must navigate the true course of love between East and West.

Inspired by classic Indian cinema, Bring On The Bollywood also revels in the shared dramatic heritage between the UK and India, as well as contemporary British Asian influences. The show is directed by Samir Bhamra, a multi-disciplinary artist and producer. In addition to his role as creative director of the London Asian Film Festival, Samir delivered three large-scale performances during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He said: "Bollywood is widely perceived to be a lowbrow artform that requires no skill.

"Not only is it - in my experience - the hardest artform to crack, but it shares more than people realise with the classical Western arts.

Adapted

"Bollywood would not exist if it were not for Shakespeare being presented in British India, and soon adapted into local languages for the wider communities.

"Both traditions teach us valuable lessons about people and life, and that's why they continue to connect so well."

Bring on the Bollywood comes to Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Tuesday, July 18 until Saturday, July 22. For more information visit www.coliseum.org.uk.