Review: Frankie Goes to Bollywood (Oxford Playhouse)

Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a production by Rifco Theatre Company, which platforms British South Asian stories. Currently on tour, I went along to review the show at Oxford Playhouse.

Frankie works with her friend Goldy in a theatre in Huddersfield, and is obsessed with Bollywood films.  Goldy has always dreamt of being an actress, so when she goes to an audition, Frankie goes along for moral support and somehow Frankie lands the role.

From there we are transported to Mumbai and follow Frankie’s initiation into a “family” of people who create these films, which is led by Raju King, who is clinging on to the idea of being a young and popular Bollywood star.

The cast of Frankie Goes to Bollywood. Photo by Richard Lakos

The show hints that it is picking out the flaws in the Bollywood industry, however this is not delivered in any great depth. Raju King, for example, in real life would be a known sleaze who everyone would likely try and avoid. In the show he has comedic moments which detract from him being a convincing villain. There were other minor plot threads that didn’t seem to go anywhere once they were mentioned. However, I feel like this is the point. The show isn't trying to be a documentary.  It is definitely more about visual spectacle.

With an admittedly thin plot, how does everything else stack up?  First of all, I have to give the ensemble a huge mention. The energy here was off the charts and the sheer amount of costume changes and the skillful dancing are admirable alone. The choreography is brilliant and the dancers make everything look effortless. It was good to see Harry Brooks making his UK theatre debut in this ensemble, with some skilled flips thrown into the dance sequences at times.

The music is superb, and it’s good to catch a glimpse of the musicians at the back of the stage. The songs are right for the show, but not to the point that we were humming any memorable lyrics as we left the theatre. Again though, I don’t think this show was created for the purposes of focussing on the soundtrack.  It’s more about raising awareness of the darker sides of Bollywood, but in an entertaining and uplifting way that is visually stunning.

The cast of Frankie Goes to Bollywood. Photo by Richard Lakos

The combination of the set design (Rebecca Brower) and lighting design (Philip Gladwell) was very effective. I particularly liked the lighting in the proscenium arch and arches further back in the set, as the location switched from Huddersfield to Mumbai, and also the effects that were used whenever photographers were mentioned.

Andy Kumar being responsible for both movement direction and costume design – and the effectiveness of both - needs to be applauded. The costumes, and there were many of these, were all perfect for the situations they were depicting, and the movement (choreography assisted by Anna Maria Barber) was a highlight.

The vocals across the cast did vary a little, but my favourite vocal performances were Meher Pavri as Malika and Ankur Sabharwal as Raju King, who both delivered stunning solos.

In summary, if you are looking for a show with a layered storyline and a subtle message, this may not be the one for you.  However, if you enjoy visually spectacular light entertainment, which doesn’t take itself too seriously and will leave you feeling uplifted and energised, grab yourself a ticket.

⭐⭐⭐1/2

Frankie Goes to Bollywood is showing at  Oxford Playhouse until Saturday 6 June.

If you would like to see my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted tickets for this show in exchange for an honest review.