Frankie Goes To Bollywood
This show pays homage to Bollywood while inviting the audience to explore various cultural themes. The story revolves around Frankie, a character finding fame she never wanted in Bollywood, and it captures the essence of this vibrant film industry.
The first act introduces us to the characters, Frankie (Laila Zaidi) and Goldy (Katie Stasi), who are childhood best friends. Frankie is whisked away to Bollywood, setting the stage for a journey through rising fame, relationships, and personal growth. The narrative is enriched with cultural references, and although I missed a few of these jokes, the inclusion of humour like the Milton Keynes roundabouts and concrete cows was delightful.
Laila Zaidi delivers a top-tier performance as Frankie, navigating a range of emotions effortlessly. Her portrayal, combined with stunning costumes, dances, and songs, makes her character compelling. The feminist equality message in the second act is powerful, emphasising breaking traditions in Bollywood. Frankie's decision to enter a contractual relationship adds depth to her character arc, highlighting this is not a love story.
The standout element of the show is undoubtedly the work of Movement Director & Costume Designer Andy Kumar. The costumes are incredible, and I found myself wishing for more details about their design and origins in the programme notes. A particularly beautiful moment involved the ensemble's dupattas transforming into scenery, with printed landscapes showcasing both creativity and visual appeal. The use of a large fan to create romantic effects also earned well-deserved applause. An electrifying homage to Bollywood, where sparkling costumes and performances light up the stage.
Associate Choreographer Nicola Mac did a fantastic job bringing Bollywood's essence to life. The choreography was vibrant and dynamic, though a touch of Milton Keynes ‘swag’ dancing at the beginning could have highlighted the cultural contrast even more effectively. The lighting design was lovely, with lights integrated into the set pieces, despite some technical difficulties on the night I attended. I'm confident these issues will be resolved for future performances.
Goldy and Prem (Navin Kundra) are two sincere and endearing characters. Goldy's loyalty and Prem's integrity add emotional depth to the story. Even the 'villain' Raju King (Geet Sagar) is portrayed with complexity, making him a character you can empathise with. Sagar's performance as the aging Bollywood star trying to stay young forever is compelling, showcasing his struggle to stay relevant while dealing with family pressures.
The show's climax, a fashion show, was visually stunning but could have been better integrated into the plot with earlier references. The argument between Goldy and Frankie followed by the fashion scene added some confusion, Stasi walked in the show, which could be easily clarified with minor adjustments.
This production has great potential and could work exceptionally well as a film, potentially sparking a new British Bollywood phase, "Brittywood." The show even comments on the lack of dubbed Bollywood films, highlighting an opportunity for greater accessibility.
Overall, this is a great show with a few minor changes that could make it truly marvellous. It's a vibrant and enjoyable experience that successfully brings the magic of Bollywood to the stage.
This show was reviewed on the 2nd August 2024 at the Southbank Centre, London where it runs until the 18th August 2024. Tickets available here: Frankie Goes to Bollywood (southbankcentre.co.uk)
Review written by Valentine Gale-Sides
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You can watch our interview with Katie Stasi who stars as Goldy here: https://youtu.be/C6rdeT5oa_M?si=hPQ1MJrgbNoq8Xae
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