Britain’s Got Bhangra

So, as I’m sitting waiting for the show to start, I’m leafing through the programme and find myself saying ‘Holy crap! Britain’s had a thriving Bhangra scene for 30 years that has, at times, outsold the UK top 40? You mean it didn’t all start with that Punjabi MC Knightrider remix?’ Then I realised I was talking to myself and it might look a bit weird. Anyway, suffice to say, my knowledge of Bhangra music is, well, pretty much non-existent.

The basic story of Britain’s Got Bhangra is [take a deep breath and follow along with me here]: Twinkle, the lead character, moves from India to England with hopes of sending for his wife when he earns enough money. He gets a job with his new found friend Rocky and they discover a mutual love of singing. Twinkle goes to temple and the Priest likes his singing voice so much, he asks him to sing at a wedding. Twinkle and Rocky sing at the wedding where the groom runs off with a guest and the bride is distraught. A year later, Twinkle runs into the jilted bride and she persuades him and Rocky to record some music. She then becomes their manager. Following? Good.

We then see, through Twinkle and Rocky’s journey how Bhangra progresses through the 80s into 1997. They are the darlings of the Bhangra scene in the UK, touring around the country, celebrated wherever they go. Twinkle, however, has let fame get to his head somewhat and has become a drunk. He even sleeps with a groupie (very rock n’ roll). Rocky is sick of Twinkle’s behaviour and informs him that he plans to move back to India and get married. When he tells Shindie, their manager, she is equally unimpressed. The thuggish brother of the groupie Twinkle slept with comes looking for him and Shinde, out of spite, points him in the direction of Rocky and well, bad things happen.

Twinkle spirals into a depression, doesn’t show up for gigs. Meanwhile, Bhangra is changing and a younger crowd who are remixing the sound have taken over. In the second act we see Twinkle struggle to get his life together as repercussions from his stardom, particularly that groupie encounter, come back to haunt him.

I’ll be honest, there were moments in the show that were complete corn on the cob, covered in cheese. But heck, I’m a known lover of a cheesy musical. There is obviously a lot of Punjabi/Urdu used throughout and at times, I felt I couldn’t really connect. At certain points, a joke is made of this when Twinkle sings to his wife and half way through, stops and says ‘this isn’t working, let’s try it in English.’

The cast are fantastic and truly look like they’re having a blast. Twinkle (played by Shin) has a superb voice. Cast member Rina Fatania who plays an Auntie is wasted in the chorus – someone get this woman her own show! She got huge laughs whenever she was on – absolutely perfect comic timing.

The show builds to a climax and the ending will knock your socks off, knit you a new pair and knock them off again. A full on Bhangra number complete with Bollywood-style routine, amazing set and awesome costumes? Well, I don’t mind if I do. The audience went absolutely mental at the end. Talk about high energy.

This is a great show, with some wonderfully comical moments and a fantastic soundtrack that young and old alike will enjoy. Showing at the Playhouse til July 17th, I suggest you get your sari on, get down there and have yourself a good time.