Twinkle was played by the immensely talented Shin, who's apparently a big deal on the bhangra scene, a scene I know very little about. What I knew going in to Britain's Got Bhangra was that I really enjoyed the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire! And that I have an open mind when it comes to the shows put on at the WYP. I was pleased to see a real mixed audience at the theatre for once, where we are normally the only ones under 50 in a sea of old, white faces. Here there was a 50/50 split between white and Asian faces, with numerous kids and young people, although still few young white faces. It's to be expected that an Asian musical would attract a like-minded crowd, but given the split in the audience it's a shame I don't see these different cultures at plays such as Hay Fever. Anyway, enough about the audience...So Twinkle comes over to Britain to make his fortune, and falls into becoming a recording sensation in the bhangra charts, with the wonderfully diplicitous Shindie (played by Sophiya Haque, again another big Asian star) as his manager. The first act, spanning about 30 years, whizzes along with song after song, with humour and warmth, and some minor social comment. The references to events like Charles and Diana's engagament, wedding and separation mark the changes in time, and the music changed to reflect the bhangra styles of the periods (I assume, since I'm no expert!). The first act ended with Twinkle's fall from grace, where the second act picks up, spanning mere months, if that, but coming right up to date to 2010 with a reference to new PM 'Mr Cameron Clegg'.
The overarching plot is fairly simple and doesn't present any surprises, though the plot is a mere skeleton to hang on sumptuous dance numbers and incredibly catchy bhangra beats. Some of the songs were performed in Punjabi, understandably, and thus I felt a little left out when half the audience got the jokes and were laughing along... I suppose this is how some people might feel watching Shakespeare and not following all the language. Even though there was some Punjabi singing it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the songs since the style of the performance really puts across an emotional message.
The set, a street with 4 shops fronts in Southall, was used very well, with different rooms or a beaten up old van emerging from the shops, and the 11 strong cast, most playing multiple roles, were of strong voice and often very funny. The slightly larger actress, Rina Fatania, didn't fail to get a laugh from the crowd, whatever role she was in, and especially as Bibiji, Twinkle's deceased mother/grandmother, who appeared in a 'vision' of sorts, or I suppose more of a deus ex machina, to iron out the plot at the end.
All of the songs were varied and interesting, but my favourite was the incredibly enegetic modern routine, Britain's Got Bhangra, that came at the end of the show. I wanted to get out of my seat and dance! But no one else was doing, so I just clapped and moved my feet in my seat instead. I took a shot with this musical, and I was rewarded with a hit, a palpable hit. Now where's that Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack...
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