The musical is a colourful spectacle but feels as though there could be a bit more of a bite when it comes to the themes it covers.
The glamour of Bollywood is brought to the stage in this fun new musical that also highlights a different side to the industry that exposes how manipulative and controlled by the men working in the industry the women are.
This is exposed by the story of Frankie who goes from working in a cinema in Milton Keynes with her cousin Goldy (who is the one of dreams of working in Bollywood) to being discovered by an up and coming director Prem, whisking her off to Bollywood, where she is seduced by the glamour of it all.
But she soon discovers a darker side to the fame and fortune as she is invited by her co-star Raju King to become part of his inner circler known as The Family – forcing her to re-evaluate what it means to be a Bollywood star and trying to live her mother’s dreams.
Directed and conceived by Pravesh Kumar, this could be an important story to be told, exposing and challenging the wrongs that exist in the Bollywood industry in terms of the way in which it can treat women and how they are seen as pawns in a bigger play for power. However, at times the story just when it seems as though it is going to make a powerful punch, softens down its point and changes it back to keeping it uplifting. The script could use a bit more bite to it particularly in the more intense moments when Frankie tries to break free.
Yet elsewhere, the comedy in the script is a delight, with Katie Stasi’s Goldy and Gigi Zahir as Shona getting many of the best lines that keep the audience amused throughout.
This being said, there is still a lot of potential here and it is still immensely enjoyable to watch unfold in many other ways. Niraj Chag and Tasha Taylor Johnson’s music and lyrics are fun, combing pop elements along with a typical Bollywood style that works really well.
Visually, there is a lot of appeal to be found through Rebecca Brower’s set design is beautiful in the way in which it brings the Bollywood world to life, complete with Indian architectural shapes that whisk you into this world effectively. Combined with Andy Kumar’s gorgeously dazzling costume designs (which prove unexpectedly vital during one number in terms of scenery), Phillip Gladwell’s colourfully effective lighting design and Kumar’s impressive movement direction the whole show feels like a real spectacle. With a little more development of the book, there is no reason why one day Frankie Goes to Bollywood can’t end up in the West End.
The performances show great versatility and range, offering many standout moments. At the centre of it Laila Zaidi showcases Frankie’s character arc perfectly keeping her likeable even when the character is swept away by fame and fortune. She also has strong vocals and a wonderful confidence in her performance. She is well matched by Helen K. Wint as Malika, Raju’s first leading lady – highlighting her character’s vulnerability as her fame begins to fade with Frankie’s arrival. Geet Sagar is wonderfully petulant as the arrogant Raju King – although some of his lines offer a hint of menace that could have been explored through the script and way in which the character was written a bit more. Katie Stasi as Goldy and Gigi Zahir as Shona both deliver great comic brevity to their performances that is enjoyable to witness.
Overall, with just a touch more work on the book and the themes the show covers, Frankie Goes to Bollywood would be even more well rounded. In its current form, it is still an immensely entertaining and dazzling musical that is filled with plenty of heart.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets for the London run until the 18th August visit: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/performance-dance/frankie-goes-bollywood?eventId=988970
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐