As I was heading to the New Theatre in Cardiff for the first performance of the latest production from Rifco Theatre Company, I was trying to think of some clever link between the band of the 80s and the name of the show, FRANKIE GOES TO BOLLYWOOD.
The shows name is inspired by the band and actually after seeing the production I realised they do have more in common than you think.
The musical is inspiring, uplifting, barrier-breaking and a little subversive, all of which said Frankie Goes to Hollywood were back in the day.
As you can imagine Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a colourful journey filled with all the romance, songs, and spectacular dance we’ve come to love about those incredible movies. What I wasn’t expecting however, was the twist in the tale, which took the show into a darker world behind the glitz and glamour. The show itself is inspired by real stories of British women caught in the spotlight of the biggest film industry in the world.
Our main character Frankie (LAILA ZAIDI) a young British-Indian girl whose Mother (HELEN K WINT) wanted to be a Bollywood star. That didn’t happen for her but after a chance encounter with a director Prem (NAVIN KUNDRA), Frankie finds herself transported to the ruthless world of Bollywood. As she climbs the sparkling staircase of stardom, Frankie must confront what she is willing to do for fame and fortune. Can she stay in the Bollywood family and still be true to herself?
The opening to the show is a tender Mother/Daughter routine which captured Frankie’s love, and reason for watching these movies. They gave her an escape when her Mother died (no spoiler as it happens at the beginning) and helped her imagine her Mum would live forever on the big screen.
First of all, here’s what the opening performance audience thought of the production in Cardiff……
This is definitely a show of two halves. Always bright and fun, the first half introduces us to the main characters, including Frankie’s best friend Goldi, played brilliantly by KATIE STASI. There are some lovely moments when the friends share their hopes, dreams and their true belief in ‘Girl-Power’.
The songs are instantly catchy, Goldi’s main number though, is a bit of a show-stealer.
The chemistry between Frankie and Goldi is excellent. Katie is sassy and naughty but behind the laughter lies her deep insecurities which really come to light when Frankie ‘steals her dream’ and goes to Bollywood.
When we get to Bollywood it’s there we get a flavour of the film industry in all its creative, and sometimes creepy glory. None more so than acting royalty, the villian of the piece Raju King played by GEET SAGAR, who is menacing and hilarious, both for the wrong reasons. Geet brings out the very worst in the ‘king’ in the best of ways, he really delivers with his performance.
The ‘King of Bollywood’ is the main theme of the second half and highlights many of the movie industry’s issues. FGTB doesn’t shy away from sexism and ageism and how men, like the king, can continue their movie career while relatively young women simply disappear from the screen.
There are some great performances from the cast, including HARI CHANDRESH who stepped into the role of Shona.
It goes without saying that the costumes (ANDY KUMAR) are stunning and pretty much everything you’d expect from a show with Bollywood in the title. The choreography outstanding, Andy is also the Movement Director on the show and NICOLA MAC is Associate Choreographer.
I want to give a shout-out to the entire ensemble here, they are on stage a lot of the time and bring energy, rhythm and humour to the production throughout.
The set design is also lavish, although not always OTT, which is could so easily have been. REBECCA BROWER has designed the stage to easily go from house to cinema to Bollywood star’s abode with ease. There are curtains, arches, lights, red carpets and even a throne – and by throne I actually mean a toilet.
The story will take you places perhaps you weren’t expecting to go but I fell it’s all the better for it. It’s engaging, funny, and occasional will make you intentionally cringe. The songs though are all belters. TASHA TAYLOR JOHNSON has created a soundtrack you feel you instantly know, and there’s not even a nod to the 80s classic Relax, however, as the show progresses, Two Tribes certainly do go to war.
FRANKIE GOES TO BOLLYWOOD is at the ew Theatre in Cardiff right now, but you’ll have to be quick, there’s an evening performance tonight and tomorrow and a 2:23pm matinee on Saturday too. For more details and tickets, go HERE.
Incidentally, no programme as such at the theatre, you can though download the show programme to your device, for free HERE.
