A new “Bollywood dance-theatre extravaganza”, Bring On The Bollywood, is to go on a UK tour starting at the Belgrade, Coventry.
Created by Samir Bhamra, “the master of authentic Bollywood-inspired work”, Bring On The Bollywood is inspired by classic Indian cinema and “revels in the shared dramatic heritage between the UK and India as well as contemporary British influences”.
The production features Dr Katrina Pawar who has lived in London for 14 years and is summoned to her ancestral home for her younger brother’s wedding.
Sensing an opportunity to make a match for their last unmarried child, Katrina’s parents search for a potential suitor for their resolute daughter.
When the good-looking Bollywood film director Amit arrives, Katrina has to navigate the true course of love between east and west.
Samir Bhamra said, “Bollywood shares more than people realise with the classical western arts. 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.”
Bhamra also directs. He delivered three large-scale performances during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He developed his skills at the National Theatre and was seconded to the Royal Shakespeare Company during the World Shakespeare Festival.
Bring On The Bollywood runs at the Belgrade, Coventry from 6 until 13 May and then tours to the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich; Rose Theatre, Kingston; Cast, Doncaster; Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch; Lighthouse, Poole; artsdepot, London; Theatre Royal, York; Oldham Coliseum; Hall for Cornwall, Truro; Oxford Playhouse; and Vivacity, Peterborough until 26 August.