Verdict for Bombay Dreams

Production :) :) :) :)
by Lord Lloyd Webber ( A Really Useful Theatre Company Production ).
What a commendable effort: to put on a totally different show when everyone else seems to be playing it safe with revivals. This effort has pulled it off! You can expect an Indian heat wave coming to London.

Music :) :) :)
by A R Rahman
Fantastic music! it is a amazing how Rahman merged his music into a big West End musical with such ease.I think we will be Shakalaking for a long time. From the moment the music started you know you are back to the good old days of Miss Saigon or Sunset Boulevard.

Story :) :) :)
by Meera Syal based on an idea by Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Just the right touch! It doesn't tend to go overboard and is exactly what a Bollywood story should be: fun, campy, and with a happy ending. I didn't understand some of the jokes, but could still guess the meaning.

Singing / Acting :) :) :)
director by Steven Pimlott
Perfect casting! Raza knows his limits and did it just right. The lovely Preeya has the most lovely voice I've heard in a long time.But Ayesha's, Raj's, and Shelley's characters really steal the show.

On my second time to the show the whole cast was still performing to their best. I was fortunate to catch Stephen Hughes performance as the lead , not only can he dance but his acting and singing ability is the best I have seen. Stephen really bring out the heart and soul of the song 'Journey's home '. Also Stephen and Preeya matches so well. I though Preeya fighting scene would be cut by now unfortunately is still there and it spoils the show a bit.

18/9/2002

Choreography :) :) :) :)
by Anthony Van Laast and Farah Khan
Star of the show! I couldn't get enough! Would see it again and again. A spectacular show stopper.

Production, Costume design :) :) :)
by Mark Thompson
Wonderful sets, especially the rotating staircase in the Miss World scene. It remind me of the spectacular MGM days. The costume was great.

Lighting :) :) :)
by Hugh Vanstone.
Simply magical!

Sound :) :) :)
by Nigel Wright.
It sounded so real that I thought there was a monsoon outside the Theatre.

reviewed on 31/5/2002