Archive for the ‘Updates’ Category

MummyJi Presents…

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Talent showcase

Rifco Arts and Watford Palace Theatre are proud to present MummyJi Presentsan innovative digital project to be streamed on The Space – a new collaboration between the BBC and the Arts Council England from July through to October 2012.

Be part of our SHOWCASE…

We will be selecting the best new, emerging and established British Asian talent and giving them a platform to showcase their skills  - MummyJi presents will be aired via The Space website  and the BBC i-player and interactive button from July.

Be seen by the NATION…

The show will consist of 3 fun and talent filled episodes. Each episode will showcase a selection of different acts and at the end of the series the audience at home will be able vote for their favourite act to feature in live show that will be streamed live via The Space from Watford Palace Theatre in October.

Think you have something special? What are you waiting for? SHOW US…

ALL are welcome to audition, there are no age restrictions – solo acts and groups.*

Whether you are a singer, rapper, vocal group, dancer, dance troupe, musician, poet, magician, ventriloquists, sports freestyler, gymnast… whatever your talent, we want you to show us!

If you would like to be considered for the show, all you have to do is send us an email to talent@rifcoarts.com with:

1.    your details – name, age, address, telephone number AND

2.    a file (video or sound) and/or a link (facebook fan page, myspace, youtube etc) of you clearly presenting your talent.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition for a spot on the final episodes through May and early June at locations across the country. Details will be sent to you if you are successful. Filming will be taking place during the last week of June, so you must be available during that week.

Auditions are taking place in May, so send through your entries ASAP

If we don’t contact you within 4 weeks of you sending us an email, then unfortunately you haven’t been successful this time…sorry!

Good luck!!!

*Children under 16 years of age will need to be accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age to auditions and filming. Open to UK residents only. Incomplete entries will not be accepted.

Tell us what you think about Britain’s Got Bhangra

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Have you seen Britain’s Got Bhangra this year? Please click on the link below to fill out our short feedback form and tell us what you thought about Britain’s Got Bhangra, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Britain’s Got Bhangra Audience Feedback 2011


Britain’s Got Bhangra

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

ON TOUR NOW

Curve Theatre, Leicester  4th – 8th October / Hackney Empire, London  12th – 16th October / Theatre Royal Windsor  18th – 22nd October / West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds  25th – 29th October / Oldham Coliseum  8th – 12 November / Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry  15th – 27th November

Rifco Arts in co-production with Watford Palace Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre present the new remixed and remastered Britain’s Got Bhangra.

Winner of the ‘People’s Favourite Musical’ at the Offies 2010 and nominated for ‘Best Musical Production’ at the TMA awards, Britain’s got Bhangra opened at Watford Palace Theatre on 16th September and will be embarking on an eight venue tour around the country this autumn and winter.

After a very successful debut last year, with five-star reviews and sold out shows, Rifco Arts were approached by venues and producers to bring the show back for 2011. Work started in February this year to bring audiences a new version of the hit musical, with changes being made to the cast, music, set, costume and script.

Writer and Director Pravesh Kumar, Rifco Arts: “We are very excited to be presenting a new version of Britain’s Got Bhangra to audiences. We have been working hard to make the show even bigger and better than last year. With the support of our co-producers Watford Palace Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre and the creative team we have redeveloped the show for 2011, cranking up the energy, entertainment, drama, humour, catchy songs and glitz.”

The story follows Twinkle, a farmer’s son from Punjab, India who comes to England to make a better living for himself and his wife. A gifted singer, he goes from being a van driver to a star in the growing Bhangra music scene of the 80’s. The imaginative musical set against the evolution of Bhangra music follows his personal journey of highs and lows over three decades.

Real life Bhangra star Shin of the group DCS reprises his role of Twinkle Singh; Natasha Jayetileke (The Lion King, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) plays the villain Shinde; Sohm Kapila (Coronation Street, Doctors, Silver Street) plays Twinkles devoted wife Jussi; Michael Taibi (Jekyll and Hyde, Annie Get your Gun, Grease) takes on the role of Rocky; Jason Denton plays the young Jason (Hot Stuff, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and Rifco Arts audience favourite Rina Fatania (Deranged Marriage, Bombay Dreams) returns.

“I feel this ‘remixed’ production of Britain’s Got Bhangra brings a wonderful new theatricality, colour and panache to what was already an amazing and joyous show, with some fantastic new performers joining the talented company, and fresh creative input from designer Keith Khan, Lighting Designer Peter Harrison, and Movement Director Cressida Carré.  It is a hugely positive and uplifting experience and I am proud of our part in it.” Brigid Larmour, Artistic Director, Watford Palace Theatre.

The creative team behind the production includes, composer Sumeet Chopra who has written music for and collaborated with many Bhangra artists and Bollywood movies; lyricist Dougal Irvine whose award winning musical Departure Lounge has recently finished a successful run at Waterloo East Theatre and Bollywood Choreographer and Costume Designer Andy Kumar.

From the company who brought you hit shows such as The Deranged MarriageThere’s Something About Simmy and Where’s My Desi Soulmate; Rifco Arts’ groundbreaking musical is guaranteed to get you up to the beat of the Dhol Drums!

Bring the family and move to the rhythm and bhangra! This show is guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles!

Britain’s Got Bhangra tickets are on sale now at all venues.

Click the following links to listen to songs from Britain’s Got Bhangra!

Boliyan 1 – Hoke Sharabi

BGB 2011 Watford  BGB 2011 Dartford  BGB 2011 Leicester  BGB 2011 London  BGB 2011 Windsor  BGB 2011 Leeds  BGB 2011 Oldham  BGB 2011 Coventry

Youtube: www.youtube.com/rifcoarts1

Twitter: @rifcoarts

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rifcoarts

Rifco Arts has moved offices and we have a new phone number!

Monday, June 20th, 2011

We have now moved offices from The West Wing Arts Centre in Slough to be resident Theatre Company at the Watford Palace Theatre in Watford town centre. Our new address is Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford. WD17 1JZ. We have two new numbers which are 01923 810 305 or 01923 810 312 so if you can’t get through on one line please try the other. Or you could drop us an email at info@rifcoarts.com. Full updates on our website will be made soon so in the mean time keep an eye on our news posts here and on our facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rifcoarts) and twitter (http://twitter.com/?lang=en&logged_out=1#!/Rifcoarts) sites for further details on how we’re settling into our new home.

 

 

Britain’s Got Bhangra wins The People’s Favourite Musical!

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Off West End The People's Favourite Musical - Britain's Got Bhangra

Rifco Arts wins a prestigious Off West End Award!

Rifco Arts’ five star smash hit musical Britain’s Got Bhangra was the winner of The People’s Favourite Musical at the Offies – The Off West End Awards. The Offies recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of theatre.

Britain’s Got Bhangra is our ground breaking musical fusing the traditional roots of Bhangra music mixed with the modern pop and R’n'B sound of the twenty first century. Being our first musical production, Britain’s Got Bhangra was a great success with five star reviews playing to full houses in theatres across the country.

Winning the Offie award for the People’s Favourite Musical acknowledges and emphasises all our work as an audience lead company who are passionate about producing theatre that reflects the modern British Asian community.

We would like to thank all our loyal fans for your continued support, and watch this space this Autumn for Britain’s Got Bhangra to come back. Remixed and Remastered!

Simon Callow the renowned Actor and Shakespeare specialist presenting our Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar (far right) and Producer, Louise Rogers (second from right) with the award.

Britain’s Got Bhangra Official Merchandise!

Friday, June 18th, 2010

BRITAIN’S GOT BHANGRA OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE!

Hoodies  £15

Male  &  Female T-Shirts  £8

Bags  £5

Available in sizes S, M, L and XL.
Please add £1.99 for p+p
Contact us on 01753570700 or email us at info@rifcoarts.com.

Britain’s Got Bhangra Tech Week

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Britain’s Got Bhangra has opened at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and runs until 16th May.

Here is a sneak peek of the backstage footage of our Technical Week before the opening:

Tickets are on sale at all venues and are selling quickly…. some days are already sold out!

Britain’s Got Bhangra will be on tour until 17th July 2010 at the following venues:

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London 17th April – 16th May

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 25th May – 5 June

Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 8 June – 12 June

Watford Palace Theatre, Watford 15 June – 19 June

The Lowry, Salford Quays 22 June – 26 June

Theatre Royal, Windsor 29 June – 3 July

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds 13 July – 17 July

Britain’s Got Bhangra Rehearsals

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Rehearsals for Britain’s Got Bhangra are in full swing!

Have a sneak preview and check out the the behind the scenes rehearsal footage of our exciting new production ‘Britain’s Got Bhangra’ touring from April 17th to July 17th 2010.