Review: Frankie Goes to Bollywood, Bristol Old Vic – ‘Fun, colourful, and completely enthralling’

Rifoc Theatre Company’s Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a show that encompasses the beauty and drama of Bollywood, while resolutely expressing its love and admiration of the genre.

It follows the story of a young South Asian woman from Huddersfield, who by accident is thrown into what seems to be a familiar Cinderella-style story, entering the world of Bollywood that her mother had always dreamed of.

However, the visually stunning world slowly reveals itself to be a facade that hides money, hatred, violence, and fear, and ultimately leaves Frankie questioning how much her identity is worth.

From the physical staging alone, the show immediately immerses its audience in the world of Bollywood stardom; colourful arches over the stage try throughout to contain the colour, costumes, and music that pour from the immensely talented cast.

As someone new to the Bollywood genre, the storytelling in Frankie provides an amazing insight into this dazzling world, and plays cleverly on stereotypes from both of its leading lady’s dual identities.

These connections – drawn between a quintessentially average British upbringing and a fast-paced, tumultuous universe rich in fame and drama – allow for the entirety of a diverse audience to laugh, feel and connect through the narrative, which is lovely to see.

The production makes a point of referencing the political and racial divisions present now across the UK, poking fun at patriotic flag-bearers in a way that felt effortless and casual, yet leaves you with a lingering sense of discomfort. Although the show predominantly criticises the malpractice and sexism within Bollywood, these small moments of reality punctuating the story remind us that although this musical is fictitious, many of its themes hit much closer to home.

As a musical, it is never less than fun, colourful, and completely enthralling. Harry Anand’s Bollywood songs hit the spot, and the level of dance and singing is exceptional throughout. The voices of Frankie (Sarah Pearson) and her “sister-cousin” Goldy (Katie Stasi) lead the way with immense vocal strength that is hard to tear your eyes away from.

The two young women’s relationship lies at the core of the story, because underneath the vibrant costumes and colours of Mumbai, are Frankie and Goldy from Huddersfield – two friends whose “Sisterhood of Brown Sugar” ends up helping to change the face of Bollywood forever.

The trope of female relationships extends beyond this central duo to the ethereal image of Frankie’s mother, who is there to remind her daughter who she is when she feels lost. The aging star role of Malika (Meher Pavri) is also a standout, shifting from an insecure comic villain into a parable of sisterhood.

At times, the show is perhaps a little over-ambitious in the scope of the ground it attempts to cover in such a short time, which leaves some fairly heavy themes hanging in the air unexplained.

Overall, however, Frankie Goes To Bollywood truly feels magical, and is everything you need from a show paying tribute to the most exciting and colourful genre of film and television in the world.

Frankie Goes to Bollywood is at Bristol Old Vic on June 24-28 at 7.30pm, with an additional 2.30pm matinee show on Saturday and Sunday. Visit bristololdvic.org.uk for tickets.

All photos: Richard Lakos

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