Bollywood musical headed for SA
15 April 2008
The Merchants of Bollywood, the first authentic musical to come out of Bollywood, featuring a cast of 40 dancers, singers and actors direct from Film City Mumbai, will be gracing South African stages in May.
Hailed by audiences and critics in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, the all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood-style extravaganza charts the history of the world's largest and most prolific film industry, paying tribute to the dynasty of stars that have lit its way over generations.
A dynamic spectacle of colour and culture, based on the life of film choreographer Vaibhavi bhavi Merchant - also the show's choreographer - the story is a potent mixture of family rebellion and romance, set to some of the most memorable music from Bollywood films.
The Merchants of Bollywood follows the story of Ayesha Merchant and her grandfather Shantilal. Both leading choreographers, their approach to film choreography could not be further apart, and Ayesha embarks on a journey to the heart of India to make peace with Shantilal after an apparently irreparable feud.
Tears are shed, old wounds are healed, and an age-old conflict is reconciled in a powerful journey to the sacred heart of dance.
Written and directed by Toby Gough, the show is a high-energy fusion of folk, classical, modern, Western and Indian dance forms, with music by Salim and Sulaiman Merchant.
The Merchants of Bollywood will run at the Indoor Arena at the International Convention Centre in Durban on 19 and 20 May, and at the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 24 and 25 May.
Bookings can be made via Computicket.
SAinfo reporter
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