BRITAIN MEETS BOLLYWOOD IN NEW MUSICAL AT CURVE
Inspired by traditional Mujra dancers, who for generations have entertained the rich and powerful with a spellbinding mix of dance and song, WAH! WAH! GIRLS is a contemporary new musical set in the East End of London that tells a story of love against the odds.
Written by the incredibly diverse and acclaimed playwright Tanika Gupta and directed by multi award-winning director Emma Rice who brought her magical UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG to Leicester last year, the show features an impressive team of creative talents that also includes Associate Director Pravesh Kumar (BRITAIN’S GOT BHANGRA) and the celebrated wit and imagination of designer Keith Khan.
A well renowned and highly inventive team will recreate the vibrancy and energy of British Bollywood on stage. The production features stunning dance sequences choreographed by Bollywood master Javed Sanadi and Kathak specialist Gauri Sharma Tripathi, performed to a mix of classic Bollywood tracks and fresh rap and reggae by Niraj Chag. Lighting is by Malcolm Rippeth and sound by Simon Baker.
Bringing Bollywood glamour to gritty realism, WAH! WAH! GIRLS is set against the vibrant background of the East End in 2012. It tells the story of a group of unstoppable girls who uncover deep secrets and create unexpected dreams as they follow their hearts. Written in the sensational style of Bollywood classics, the storyline features star-crossed lovers, shocking revelations and the strength of sisterhood, delivered with high energy and quick wit.
A talented cast includes Sophiya Haque, Natasha Jayetileke (THE LION KING, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR, BRITIAN’S GOT BHANGRA) and Rina Fatania (BRITAIN’S GOT BHANGRA, BOMBAY DREAMS). Haque has been hailed as the ‘first lady’ of music television following seven years of presenting on MTV Asia to 53 countries, her broadcasting work also includes being a DJ for BBC Asian Network. Her theatre credits include the musicals BOMBAY DREAMS (Apollo Victoria), THE FAR PAVILLIONS (Shaftesbury) and BRITIAN’S GOT BHANGRA (Rifco Arts).
Emma Rice is Joint Artistic Director of Kneehigh. Her recent credits include Spymonkey’s daring OEDIPUSSY, which recently visited Curve; her celebrated adaptation of BRIEF ENCOUNTER, which has enjoyed success in the West End and on Broadway; as well as THE WILD BRIDE, THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG and THE RED SHOES (for which she won the 2002 TMA Award for Best Director). She was also nominated for the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Director for BRIEF ENCOUNTER.
Currently in rehearsals, Emma commented on previewing this new production at Curve:
‘Wah! Wah! Girls will be part Bollywood musical, part play and part dance extravaganza! It is a contemporary British work that celebrates India, the British Asian community and what it is to live in the UK in 2012. Leicester is a fantastic place to open a show, the audience is warm and adventurous. Curve is so stylish and we have built a loyal following after bringing The Red Shoes and launching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg there. We can’t wait to share this new production with audiences at Curve.’
Tanika Gupta’s many plays include the acclaimed SUGAR MUMMIES at the Royal Court and White Boy for the National Youth Theatre. Her awards include the 2004 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for FRAGILE LAND at Hampstead Theatre and her adaptation of HOBSON’S CHOICE at the Young Vic.
Tickets and Information: 0116 242 3595 / www.curveonline.co.uk
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer Tanika Gupta
Director Emma Rice
Composer and
Musical Director Niraj Chag
Sound Designer Simon Baker
Bollywood
Choreographer Javed Sanad
Associate Director Pravesh Kumar
Set and Costumes Keith Khan
Kathak
Choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi
Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth
CAST
Philip Brodie Pavel
Rina Fatania Bindi & Sameena Bibi
Sophiya Haque Soraya
Tariq Jordan Kabir
Davina Perera Anita
Natasha Jayetileke Sita
Delroy Atkinson Cal
Keeza Farhan Ensemble
Rebecca Grant Sita
Tony Jayawardena Mansoor
Sheena Patel Shanti
Gurpreet Singh Anish / Tariq
Shelley Williams Fauzia