Arch comedy and Bollywood glitz take centre stage in Toby Gough's light-hearted, sparkly production.
The Merchants of Bollywood begins with one of the most cinematic openings you'll see in the West End. And that's only the introductory narration. It carries on in grand filmic fashion, conjuring the glitz and sparkle of Bollywood and finding a home for it at Peacock Theatre in London's West End.
The programme makes much of the storyline which was inspired by the real-life drama of contemporary choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant and her grandfather, whose tutelage in traditional folk dancing clashed with her Bollywood dreams. The show follows Ayesha – not a common name at the temple – who wants to defy Bollywood conventions. The compulsory male lead is a tellingly silent Deepak Rawat, who doesn't need to do much other that tote his six pack, look pretty and provide awe-inspiring dance. He does all this in fine fashion, along with the other 40 performers many of whom are worthy of far more than back-up status. Ayesha's efforts at turning Bollywood around culminate in a fail of a song called 'It's The Time To Disco', a folk-disco fusion.
However, on stage as on film, you needn't pay much attention to the plot. In fact, any time they're not dancing you don't really care. The acting is predictably arch in pantomime fashion but the dancing is stunning and thankfully any 'fusion' numbers are minimal. The show is not without a sense of humour about itself: at one point a 'top director' explains the essential ingredients for a Bollywood hit, including star-crossed lovers and a villain sporting a onerously grown moustache.
The Merchants of Bollywood charts the evolution of Bollywood, not with any depth or breadth but with a mesmerising troupe of highly skilled dancers, great music and brilliantly colourful costumes. From beginning to end, energy and colour exude from the stage. A huge effort has gone into the lighting and design, and it shows. Plenty of strobe lights and sparkle make this a show worthy of a stadium arena. Director Toby Gough, has covered the age of swing, disco and the unsurpassed glory days of the '70s – cue a brilliant collection of satin drainpipes and sequinned fedoras.
The show weaves together a collection of classic songs from famous Bollywood movies that have transcended generations of cinema-goers, and provides a nostalgic night for anyone who grew up on Bollywood. If you're not familiar with the songs, they still sparkle on a West End stage: The Merchants of Bollywood is excellent pre-teen, family entertainment.
The Merchants of Bollywood runs at Peacock Theatre until 5th June
Click here for more Dance Events in London
Click here for more London Theatre
Click here for more Things to do in London
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...