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Article: http://sylhettimesdigital.co.uk/we-got-oldhams-got-britains-got-bangra-review/

Britain’s Got Bhangra Audience Feedback 2011

By Pravesh Kumar, music by Sumeet Chopra, lyrics by Dougal Irvine
Rifco Arts in a co-production with Watford Palace Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre
Hackney Empire and touring

Review by Felicity Turner (2011)

“What the hell is Bhangra?” sings Jason – our British born, half Jamaican, half Indian hero. I confess – I have no idea either. But in Rifco Arts’ brilliantly hilarious musical, Britain’s Got Bhangra, which plays at the Hackney Empire on the fourth leg of its country-wide tour, it doesn’t matter.

Two reasons: white actors play Indian characters, Asian actors play Jamaican characters, men play women, and vice versa; and meanwhile, Sumeet Chopra’s superb score has the audience dancing in the aisles (no, really!). It shows those of us in the audience who don’t know our Bhangra from our Bollywood, and those that do, that racial and cultural cliques are not important here. With unapologetic lines like “twist the lightbulb” – who could feel ashamed to not know the lingo?

In a heart-warming tale, Twinkle, a newlywed with nothing to support his wife but his voice, travels to England in search of the “streets lined with gold”. The cold and wet reality with which he is met makes his sudden shoot to heady fame as a Bhangra singer all the more seductive. But when a knife comes between his band, a series of EastEnders meets East is East events lands Twinkle in a downwards spiral. What follows cleverly charts the fusion of Bhangra and British popular music, as well as giving a witty account of the social and political history of the last thirty years. Telephones get gradually smaller, and ties go from blue to red, and back to blue again – with a hint of yellow, of course.

Returning from its successful 2010 run by popular demand, this production of Britain’s Got Bhangra is billed as “remixed and remastered”. A double meaning, referring not only to the remixing of Bhangra music to match the evolving landscape of British popular music, but also to Rifco Arts’ redevelopment of the show for its revival. The latter has worked wonders, as the show resembles one of those digitally remastered Disney DVDs – brighter, louder and crisper – with a kaleidoscope of colours on stage.

This is demonstrated not only by the endless array of bright saris edged in gold, but also by the constant presence of the large glass Dohl drum at the rear of the stage, decorated with patterns of neon pinks, blues and greens. Inside this drum sits the live band – a fusion of Bhangra instruments with electric keyboard and bass guitar. This serves as a constant and pleasant reminder of the importance of music to the story itself, and not just its telling.

The energy flowing from the stage comes not just from the endless colour and the insistent beats of the Bhangra music but also from the talented cast. The real-life fame of Shin, playing Twinkle, is apparent as he helps the audience fall in love with the art of Bhangra through the effortless control of his voice. His cheeky demeanour retains the audience’s sympathy throughout, no matter how many wrong turns his character makes – even more so under the watchful eye of his dead mother (Rina Fatania) who will take no monkey-business, even from her place among the stars.

Fatania provides constant, belly-aching laughter in her many roles throughout the show but perhaps most memorable, and yet most simple, is her ability to make driving a mobility scooter around a stage so hilarious and yet so threatening. Sohm Kapila’s performance strikes a chord with every woman in the audience as the ever-loving and supporting wife of an ambitious musician. While on the opposite end of the scale, Natasha Jayetileke plays our villain, Shinde, as the jilted innocent turned man-hating music-biz executive, riling the audience to almost pantomime-esque hissing.

Finally, there is a very lovely comparison on stage between the hard man with a soft centre, DJ Lovely (Rakesh Boury), and the sensitive boy with a brave core, Jason (Jason Denton). Their rap and R&B battles over ownership of Bhangra when neither really knows what that might be is a touching reminder that Twinkle’s mantra to “know who you are” is growing ever more important as cultures become fused in our society.

Anyone who is still ashamed to admit that they don’t know anything about Bhangra – come on down. You’ll be racing your friends back to your iTunes to hear more of this enchanting art.

“Britain’s Got Bhangra” plays at the Hackey Empire until 16th October, then tours to: Theatre Royal, Windsor – 18th-22nd October; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds – 25th-29th October; Oldham Coliseum – 8th-12th November; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry – 15th-27th November.

Pauline Flannery reviews Rifco Arts’ touring production of Britain’s Got Bhangra at Hackney Empire Theatre

One of the biggest Bhangra companies over the last decades has been Golden Star UK whose singer Malkit was born in the Punjab in 1963. It seems too much of a coincidence not to assume that the lead character ‘Twinkle’ in Britain’s Got Bhangra is in some way inspired by him.

The production as a whole is a celebration of the joy of music, and it’s a winner. The piece is a deliciously wicked side-swipe at some common anomalies where a stiff upper lip gives rise to an arched eyebrow; the ironic reality for the immigrant in a land of hope and glory, the throwaway comment about Prince Charles’ marriage to Lady Di as being arranged, and the changing fortunes and colours of the various political sloganing from ‘things can only get better’ to ‘Britain’s Blooming.’ Attitudes and political sides change as quickly as jockey’s colours, depending on which horse is the main ride.

The plot centres on Twinkle who comes to London from the Punjab with aspirations to be a singer. It’s the time of Thatcherism, and Britain is in a cultural cold war as damp and chilly as the Punjab is sticky and hot. Twinkle drives a van with partner Rocky and the two sing at weddings and their temple until they are eventually signed up by ruthless business woman, Shinde, who sees Bhangra as fast bucks. From there over three decades, fortunes soar or hit the dhol drums as Twinkle tries to remain faithful to a simple truth, to know who he is.

As Twinkle’s star shines or dims according to kismet, his character also signifies the waxing and waning fortunes of Bhangra music itself, a move from the simplicity and truthfulness of Punjabi folklore to world music status. The 1980s were its golden age, and they were also an explosive time for British/Asian cultural identity.

The production is first class throughout, with enough energy to light up the National Grid. The timing is sharp and beautifully thought through, from big set pieces such as the harvest dance at the beginning to individual character traits such as DJ Lovely’s gyrating bling. Shin as Twinkle is the most versatile of performers and is ably served by the two women in his life; the understated but steely Jussi (Sohm Kapila) who gives a stunning rendition of ‘Goodnight Baby’ and the powerful reprise ‘Dhum Dhum’, and the fiery Shinde (the magnificent Natasha Jayetileke); talent just doesn’t begin to cover it.

The music by Sumeet Chopra is an eclectic mix of Bhangra with Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B, Soul and an underlying melodic score which hits the major and minor chords of the drama. It plays out naturally to its end, in a climactic Deus Machina moment, as Bibiji (the wonderful Rina Fatania) comes to sort out the humans once and for all.

A live band is seen within their dhol drum (or should that be droll drum) and when Shinde, Twinkle’s nemesis, sings the high octane number ‘I Got the Power’ she is brought low by a real power cut. There is something musically here for everyone, but it is its wit and playfulness that will stay long in the memory. The detail in design (Keith Khan) choreography (Andy Kumar) and concept (Pravesh Kumar) is as richly coloured as the best silk weave. As the first ever Bhangran musical Britain’s Got Bhangra got bite…It sings out the rhythm of life.

http://stagewon.co.uk/news/view/review-britains-got-bhangra/

‘something truly great – a musical that matters and a top-class night out.’ ***** Watford Observer

Read the article here: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/leisure/reviews/9268407.Britain_s_Got_Bhangra_____/

This show teaches you, reaches you and makes you want to invite all your friends and family…This a West End show’ ***** Remote Goat

Make sure you book your ticket in time for the remainder of the tour!

Watford Palace Theatre, London: 16^th – 24^th September

Orchard Theatre, Dartford: 27^th September – 1^st October

Curve Theatre, Leicester: 4^th – 8^th October

Hackney Empire, London: 12^th – 16^th October

Theatre Royal Windsor: 18^th – 22^nd October

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds: 25^th – 29^th October

Oldham Coliseum: 8^th – 12 November

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry : 15^th – 27^th November

On Tour from 16th September – 27th November 2011

Show Dates

Watford Palace Theatre, London: 16th – 24th September

Orchard Theatre, Dartford: 27th September – 1st October

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

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

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