The showstopper music which has just opened for its world premiere for a three week run at Watford Palace Theatre will go on to a 10-day run at HOME Manchester, followed by a national tour which will culminate in the three week Southbank run,
Conceived by Artistic Director of Rifco, Pravesh Kumar MBE, ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood ‘is a spectacular all-singing-all-dancing tale of heroes and villains, with all the costumes and the spectacle of a Bollywood feature film. It tells the tale of being British in Bollywood and explores what it takes to get to the top.
Frankie never wanted to be a star, all she’s ever really wanted is a close and loving family – but after a chance encounter with an up-and-coming director, she finds herself transported to Bollywood, cast in a movie and thrust into the limelight. Might the Bollywood world provide her with the family and community she has always dreamed of?
Suddenly Frankie is immersed in the world of fame and fortune but as she climbs the sparkling staircase of stardom, each step makes her question about what she is willing to do, or be subjected to, for success.
Drawing inspiration from both traditional Bollywood music and the best of western musical theatre, the music for Frankie goes to Bollywood is a carefully integrated hybrid – designed to appeal to lovers of the Bollywood genre and also lovers of a good old West End extravaganza.
Bollywood as an industry generates over £2 billion a year, and globally the films have an audience of 1.3billion. In the UK a successful Bollywood film can be expected to take as much as £4 million – so it’s little wonder that the glamorous lure of Bollywood stardom appeals to many British-South Asian young people. Frankie goes to Bollywood is inspired by those true stories of Brits in Bollywood
Alongside a couple of very well-known British-born faces in Bollywood including Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, there are also dozens more actors, both male and female born in Britain who have established successful careers. Frankie goes to Bollywood is inspired by many of their stories, and by Pravesh’s own experience of being a Brit in Bollywood, and by what he observed in terms of British-born women’s experience in the industry.
Pravesh Kumar, MBE (Writer/ director) says “Frankie is a multi-layered piece of theatre. It offers a sumptuous British spin on the glorious stories of Bollywood; a breathtakingly colourful journey of romance, sweeping songs and vibrant dance, juxtaposed with exploration of the darker undercurrent within the culture. This is a celebration of everything glorious and spectacular about Bollywood and Indian culture while highlighting less-positive experiences women face. I wanted to highlight this issue, because it’s men’s responsibility to shine a light on sexism, and to call it out whenever and wherever they see it. I hope this show is a catalyst.
Rifco Theatre has a long tradition of working to celebrate and reflect contemporary British Asian experiences, culture, and society. Pravesh’s own experience working for a decade in Bollywood, and his extensive work looking at the British South Asian experience in UK theatre and film, play a fundamental role in the development of Rifco’s productions and subject matter focusing on untold stories and under-represented voices.
Pravesh continues “Frankie Goes to Bollywood is both an ode, and a call to action. An ode to the films we grew up with – movies that brought us laughter and tears and belting our lungs out in the shower. It’s also a nudge to interrogate the culture we’ve grown up with, and come together to make it better, brighter, and ask important questions about the deeply ingrained sexism.”
“We have been blown away by responses to the show – the pre-sales for our opening venue have been phenomenal to the point where Frankie has almost outsold presales for any other performance at Watford Palace Theatre. We are so excited to come to Southbank and continue meeting what is clearly pent-up demand for authentic South Asian theatre in the UK”
Artistic Director – Pravesh Kumar MBE
Pravesh Kumar MBE is the Artistic Director and Chief Executive of award winning Rifco Theatre Company. Pravesh was awarded an MBE for services in theatre in the New Year Honours List 2022. He started the company in 2000 to make a different kind of theatre for a community that could not see themselves represented on English stages. He has been at the forefront of bringing new British South Asian audiences into theatres in their thousands, often for the first time by making entertaining and accessible theatre.
Pravesh has a background in film and worked in the commercial Indian film industry often called Bollywood for many years. His theatrical directorial debut was in 2000 with a UK tour of Bollywood – Yet Another Love Story. He has gone on to achieve critical acclaim for Rifco’s productions. His short film, Gods on Mountains was nominated for the Satyajit Ray Short Film Award. His debut feature film Little English, based on a Rifco play, premiered at London Indian Film Festival at BFI Southbank to sold out screenings and won the audience choice award for the Best Narrative Feature at the Tasveer South Asian Film Festival last year.
Pravesh leads on the Rifco Associates programme finding new British South Asian voices of the future.
Rifco Theatre Company
Artistic Director Pravesh Kumar MBE founded Rifco Theatre Company in 2000 and the company is now one of the UK’s most successful touring companies. Since 2011, Rifco has been the Resident Company at Watford Palace Theatre, with a mission to inspire, entertain and inform by creating live theatre and digital content of the highest quality. Rifco develops and produces new plays and musicals, touring nationally to some of the UK’s most prestigious regional theatres. Rifco presents live shows of scale and spectacle as well as vibrant contemporary digital shows that are authentic, topical, thought-provoking, rich and entertaining. Rifco seek to celebrate and reflect contemporary British Asian experiences, culture and society.
Headed by Associate Director Ameet Chana, they create opportunities for British South Asian artists through the Rifco Associates scheme, giving a platform to new voices. Rifco’s success lies in understanding artists and audiences, creating new work through listening and working alongside British South Asian communities. They believe in gently challenging perceptions and warmly reflecting the communities they know. Rifco are committed to diversifying the kind of work seen in British theatres and they do this by commissioning British South Asian playwrights along with working with as many diverse actors, designers and directors that they can find.
HOME Manchester
HOME is Manchester’s centre for international contemporary culture. Since opening in May 2015, HOME has welcomed over four million visitors to its two theatres, five cinemas, art gallery, book shop and restaurants. HOME works with international and UK artists to produce extraordinary experiences, creating an exciting mix of thought-provoking drama, dance, film and contemporary visual art with a strong focus on international work, new commissions and artist development. HOME’s ambition is to push the boundaries of form and technology, to experiment, have fun, take risks and share great new art with the widest possible audience. HOME has welcomed the following artists and more since opening: AL and AL, Rachel Maclean, Phil Collins, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Larry Achiampong, Sophie Al-Maria, Noor Afsan Mirza & Brad Butler, John Walter, Lubaina Himid and David Lynch.
TV Partner – Sony Pictures Networks
Sony Pictures Networks is a global television and content network with a robust linear channel portfolio including flagship offering Sony Entertainment Television (SONY TV), a leading general entertainment channel. Other offerings include popular movie channels, SONY MAX and SONY MAX2 as well as India’s No. 1 comedy and light entertainment channel, SONY SAB.
Sony Pictures Networks brings popular shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants to be a Millionaire) with Amitabh Bachchan, Indian Idol, Super Dancer, Shark Tank (Dragon’s Den), Taarak Mehta and daily dramas to its large, highly engaged viewing base – as well as Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters and much-loved classic movies.
Miyrah Mistry – Head of Marketing UK & Europe for SONY Pictures Networks commented:
“There is so much talent that exists within the South Asian community in the UK. We are pleased to partner with Rifco Theatre Company who provide opportunities, and bring cultural experiences to audiences with spectacular stage shows like this. Working with Rifco, we will be able to deliver effective and exciting ways for our brand to reach new audiences.”
CAST DETAILS:
Theatre credits: Clara in ‘Three Acts Of Love’ (Live Theatre, Newcastle); Clem in ‘Little Bits Of Light’ (National Theatre, London); Maria in ‘West Side Story’ (Kilworth House Theatre); Charlie in ‘The Selfish Giant’ (Vaudeville Theatre, London’s West End); Tassita in ‘Starlight Express’ (The Other Palace Theatre, London); Jess in ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (Toronto, Canada); Polly in ‘The Boyfriend’ (Menier Chocolate Factory, London); Sashi in ‘Invisible’ (Bush Theatre, London); Clare in ‘The Season Ticket’ (Northern Stage, Newcastle); Maria in ‘West Side Story’ At Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary (RSC); Rosalia in ‘West Side Story’ BBC Proms.
Television credits: Asma in ‘Ackley Bridge’ S5 (Channel 4); Cyd in ‘Benidorm’ S10 (ITV); Zara in ‘Mood’ (BBC); Maria in ‘Doctors’- (BBC); Hope in ‘Dog Days’- (Comedy Pilot); Christie in ‘Holby City’ (BBC).
Short Films: Layla in ‘The Everlasting Club’ (Jeva Films Productions); Angelica in ‘Hayley Alien’ (Rebel Park Productions)
Voiceover credits: BBC Radio Summer of Sport; BBC Sounds- Young Writers Awards Shortlist narration; Audiobook ‘The NutCracker’ By Alex T Smith; Sky Radio Christmas Advert; Audio Guide for Imperial War Museum ‘24
Helen K Wint is an English actress best known for her role as Khush in the CBBC’s I Dream. Helen is an original member of the girl group Goldstone,
Theatre Credits: Bronco Billy (Charing Cross); Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (Wyndhams); Dirty Dancing (UK Tour); One Night of Tina (UK Tour); Respect La Diva (workshop); Aladdin (Camberley); Dancing in the Streets (UK tour); Daddy Cool (Shaftesbury); ‘Instant Celebrity…Just add water’ (Workshop). Television Credits: I DREAM; Doctors; BBC: Eurovision You Decide.Short film Credits (A Very) Ham Fisted Stake Out. Recordings: Daddy Cool (original London cast); I DREAM.
Sagar, who will play the role of ‘Raju King’, was a previous winner of X Factor India. He has also worked as a playback singer, lending his voice to various television commercials and Bollywood films like Chhichhore and Teri Bhabi Hai Pagle. Additionally, he has appeared in television shows like Balika Vadhu and Zindagi Ki Mehek, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.
City in 2016, Gigi has worked primarily on stage and in cabaret as drag character Crayola the Queen, a multi-disciplinary drag artist, actor, singer, writer, producer and MC.
Gigi trained at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting 2013-16. During an internship at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2016-17, Gigi discovered an unshakeable love for drag, and subsequently, cabaret, which has led them down an unexpected but highly rewarding artistic path. Over the years, Gigi has performed in pantos at Above the Stag (ATS), Her Upstairs, and The Vaults, and has been commissioned to create several solo shows including a children’s drag show for the Reading Fringe Festival. Gigi regularly performs at The Glory and The RVT, two of London’s most esteemed LGBT+ cabaret venues. In 2019 Gigi received several nominations at the QX Cabaret Awards including Best Host, Best Producer and Best Ongoing Cabaret.
As an actor, they’ve performed as Antonio/Trinculo in TEMPEST at The Pleasance (co-pro with Wildcard Theatre), as Becky Biro in the solo black comedy FAME WHORE at The King’s Head. for which they also wrote the lyrics, and as Cleopatra in CINDERELLA at Theatre Royal Stratford East, for which they were nominated for Best Newcomer at the UK Pantomime Awards in 2023. As a voice over artist, they provided the voice of Noor in podcast web series THRICE FORGOTTEN.
Navin Kundra is a multi-talented and award winning British singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist renowned for his captivating performances across various entertainment platforms.
With a music career spanning over a decade, Navin has amassed a plethora of achievements whilst remaining independent, including six number one singles in the Asian Charts, singing for the Royal Family, breaking a Guinness World Record with his music and singing on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
He has also won prestigious awards such as the “Entertainer of the Year Award” at the House of Commons, a “British Soap Award” at the ITV Soap Awards and the “Stardust Global Icon Award” for Outstanding Achievement in Music. His music seamlessly blends contemporary pop with traditional Indian influences, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. He recently performed a sold out UK Tour of his concert, “Voice Of Legends” in tribute to the stalwart playback singers of Hindi Cinema which landed him a nomination at the Asian Media Awards for Best Live Event. Beyond music, he has showcased his acting talent in BBC Doctors, Eros Now’s production “Operation Cobra” and is now making his debut in musical theatre.
Katie is 26 years old and graduated in 2021 from the Preparation Academy.
Training: Royal Central School of Speech & Drama – Preparation Academy (PPA)
Previous Credits: Roles We’ll Never Play (Union Theatre), Dick Whittington (Stanley Arts Theatre), Wizard of Oz (Theatre Royal Winchester), Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre), No For an Answer (Arcola Theatre).