June 8, 2010
I approached Britain’s Got Bhangra with some hesitance because I am not bhangra’s biggest fan, preferring mellow bollywood songs to the loud drum beats that characterise the traditional folk music and dance of the Punjab. However by the end of the show I was one of the cheering people actually standing up and dancing along (much to my husband’s embarrassment).
The show revolves around Twinkle (played by Shin, one of UK bhangra’s original and biggest stars), a young Punjabi who moves from India to London in the seventies, and it charts his journey from hopeful, naïve immigrant to egocentric mega-star, back down to failed bankrupt ‘has been’ and his eventual rise back.
The story spans three decades, and this is nicely reflected in little details such as reference to politics, the clothing styles and most importantly, the changing face of bhangra over the past 30 years. Even if you know nothing about bhangra you cannot fail to be impressed with the music of this show – we hear the original tunes from when the genre first emerged in the UK, the remix phase of the 90’s, and finally the RnB/Bhangra merge that is currently popular. The choreography is excellent - ranging from classic moves (the ‘twisting the lightbulb’ manoeuvre!) to humorous takes on bollywood and the seventies – it is all covered here. An amazingly good looking cast makes this a treat to watch.
Shin has an amazing voice and his final duet with the equally talented Arun Blair Mangat (Jason) is inspiring. Shin also impresses with his acting - it is hard to believe this is his debut. He is very convincing and exudes a humbleness that makes us forgive his character's mistakes. Sophiya Haque (Bombay Dreams, Coronation Street) plays the transformation from a demure, meek Indian bride to an manipulative, scheming and successful businesswoman well. Special mention must go to ‘DJ Lovely’ my favourite character in the show – a ‘rude-boy’, pants hanging halfway down his legs, gold chain wearing, ‘Blinging’ wanna-be music star who makes Eminem look like Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The background cast must also be commended – they consist of 5 people with multiple roles- each however made a lasting impression, facial expressions were spot on and comic timing was perfect. The boys dressing up as old asian women were particularly funny.
There are plenty of jokes in the show, but a serious message of the need for acceptance of all cultures and races is conveyed subtlety but effectively. Happily it avoided some of the usual asian clichés and stereotypes. Some of the show is spoken in Punjabi, which is not a language I understand, but the message is conveyed through the body language and music and this added to the ambience of the show.
To conclude this show appeals to all ages, and all backgrounds. It is unique, uplifting and bound to have you dancing in the aisles. I would highly recommend it, and apparently so would a lot of people I heard giving reviews to Radio Oxford as we left the auditorium. Oxford’s definitely got bhangra!!
The show revolves around Twinkle (played by Shin, one of UK bhangra’s original and biggest stars), a young Punjabi who moves from India to London in the seventies, and it charts his journey from hopeful, naïve immigrant to egocentric mega-star, back down to failed bankrupt ‘has been’ and his eventual rise back.
The story spans three decades, and this is nicely reflected in little details such as reference to politics, the clothing styles and most importantly, the changing face of bhangra over the past 30 years. Even if you know nothing about bhangra you cannot fail to be impressed with the music of this show – we hear the original tunes from when the genre first emerged in the UK, the remix phase of the 90’s, and finally the RnB/Bhangra merge that is currently popular. The choreography is excellent - ranging from classic moves (the ‘twisting the lightbulb’ manoeuvre!) to humorous takes on bollywood and the seventies – it is all covered here. An amazingly good looking cast makes this a treat to watch.
Shin has an amazing voice and his final duet with the equally talented Arun Blair Mangat (Jason) is inspiring. Shin also impresses with his acting - it is hard to believe this is his debut. He is very convincing and exudes a humbleness that makes us forgive his character's mistakes. Sophiya Haque (Bombay Dreams, Coronation Street) plays the transformation from a demure, meek Indian bride to an manipulative, scheming and successful businesswoman well. Special mention must go to ‘DJ Lovely’ my favourite character in the show – a ‘rude-boy’, pants hanging halfway down his legs, gold chain wearing, ‘Blinging’ wanna-be music star who makes Eminem look like Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The background cast must also be commended – they consist of 5 people with multiple roles- each however made a lasting impression, facial expressions were spot on and comic timing was perfect. The boys dressing up as old asian women were particularly funny.
There are plenty of jokes in the show, but a serious message of the need for acceptance of all cultures and races is conveyed subtlety but effectively. Happily it avoided some of the usual asian clichés and stereotypes. Some of the show is spoken in Punjabi, which is not a language I understand, but the message is conveyed through the body language and music and this added to the ambience of the show.
To conclude this show appeals to all ages, and all backgrounds. It is unique, uplifting and bound to have you dancing in the aisles. I would highly recommend it, and apparently so would a lot of people I heard giving reviews to Radio Oxford as we left the auditorium. Oxford’s definitely got bhangra!!