|
|
| Programme |
Sona and Rishie are the subjects of an arranged marriage. They each agreed to the arrangement after a formal introduction, but as the big day approaches both are afflicted with a sudden attack of cold feet, are they doing this for the right reasons?. This only gets worse as the wedding plans seem to spiral out of control all around them, this is to be the biggest Indian wedding Slough has ever seen. Guests are arriving from all over the country, except Doncaster aunty who is lost on the M4.
Sona's father has died leaving her mother, Hema, a widow, so the wedding plans are in the hands of her uncle Bali and his pretencious and domineering wife Lata. She is throwing her all into the planning because she feels she was cheated of her own sons's wedding when he married a white girl (whom she continues to introduce to all and sundry as 'Chaman's friend').
The Wedding day dawns, another spanner is thrown into the works when Mahesh, the uncle of the groom, turns out to be Hema's first love whom she has never really gotten over but cannot forgiven for abandoning her. Then, as the moment of truth approaches, the young couples cold feet worsen and amid the drunken aunties and bejewelled saris all is chaos.
How will it turn out? Will they do what is expected of them or follow their own heads and hearts? Will Slough get its Indian wedding of the century? Doncaster Aunty is nosing around, someone better sort it out fast. Oh, and someone please tell Bali what is going on.
This is not in any way an attack on the arranged marriage system, but it does question what marriage is really all about, and in particular whether that meaning may sometimes get lost amidst all the preparations and family politics.
The humour is broad with strong visual elements and a pronounced saucy picture postcard flavour. Although there were moments when the dialogue lapsed into Punjabi (I think) this in no way detracted from the plot for the purely English speakers - although from the reactions of the Asian members of the audience at those times I think we did miss out on one or two particularly good jokes.
A transforming circular set provided a splendid setting for the action and exquisite costumes provided plenty of colour. The audience participation worked extremely well, particularly the audience member picked out as the Mayor and repeatedly asked to pose for photographs!
Pooja Shah (Kareena from "Eastenders") gave a stirling performance as the tormented Sona and made a beautiful bride to be. Rupi Lal also was eminently believable as her proposed husband to be Rishi. Goldy Notay led the way in the humour stakes and proved to be a comic genius as the tyrannical Lata, delivering her lines with perfect comic timing and killer facial expressions. In this respect she was ably assisted by Rina Fatania and Ambur Khan who were each superbly funny as Kiran and Sangeeta respectively. There were some good comic performances from the men also, particularly in the form of Simon Nagra as Lata's long-suffering husband Bali, and Rupi Lal in his secondary role as the hapless Sunny. Javed Malik played Chaman, the grown-up son still struggling to untangle himself from Lata's apron strings, ably assisted by Louiza Patikas as his caucasian wife Jenny, desperate to gain Lata's approval. 'Straight' acting credits go to Harvey Verdi as the much put upon Hema, always subordinating her own needs to those of the family. Pasha Bocarie gave a good performance as Mahesh whilst Sharona Sassoon provided more classic comedy as the groom's mother Pramila. Last but by no means least, Shaheen Khan played the role of Baby and treated us to her beautiful singing voice throughout.
A colourful, comical, indian song and dance fest. Bombay Nights meets the Kumars in a riotous enjoyable farce with an eastern twist.