A “dazzling tribute to the sizzling Bollywood disco era of the 1970s”, the musical Bombay Superstar is to have its world première at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in autumn 2022.
Opening during celebrations of the Diwali Festival of Light, Bombay Superstar will feature Nisha Aaliya as fiery rising star Laila, Rav Moore as her dashing hero Sikandar, Pia Sutaria as Mala, Robby Khela as Vicky, Sheetal Pandya as Dolly, Yanick Ghanty as Tiger, Chirag Rao as Din Dayal and Amar as Pammi.
Aaron Mistry, Daisy Hardy, Pavan Maru and Alexandra Adams will make their professional stage debuts as part of the ensemble.
Bombay Superstar is written and directed by Sâmir Bhamra who is also artistic director of Phizzical Productions which is producing the show with the Belgrade and the New Wolsey Theatre.
He said, “I’m a child of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and no matter what challenges life brought, when my heroes came onto the big screen I could escape and be carefree. Often we all sat around a VCR watching films as a family—it brought people together in the same way that theatre does.”
The creative team includes Lewis den Hertog as video and caption designer, and Mark Jonathan with his associate Callum MacDonald as lighting designer. Jonathan Terry has joined the team as relighter and production lighting operator.
The production is choreographed by Rohan Shah and Shruti Shah, with fight choreography by Chirag Lukha and assistant direction from Sophie Kandola. The musical director is Hinal Pattani, and the 515 crew is Nikaash Sankadeca, Dhaivat Acharya, Bindi Bhumbra, Ragen Brahmbhatt and Trushar Tailor. Vocal coach is Tauseef Akhtar.
Bombay Superstar is delivered in English and sung in Hindi. Translations of Hindi songs are by Yasser Usman. New original songs are by Robby Khela.
Bombay Superstar will be on the Belgrade’s main stage from Tuesday 18 until Saturday 22 October.