Bombay Superstar At Belgrade Theatre Review
TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Sue Rumble
Booking & getting there
The Belgrade Theatre is centrally located in the city centre off Corporation Street, about 10 minutes walk from Pool Meadow Bus Station and 15 minutes walk from the railway station. Parking is avaiIable at the NCP Belgrade Plaza Car Park which is clearly signposted from the ring road (junction 9). Prices of parking vary dependant on length of stay and whether you pay on the day or pay via the app.
Venue & facilities
The Belgrade Theatre was built in 1958 and has recently undergone renovations to include a second smaller space. There is also a café downstairs serving food, hot and cold drinks and a really nice bar space upstairs with more bars serving drinks at the interval.
Price & Value
The price range of tickets, in my opinion, is extremely good value for money given the quality and length of performance. Prices are dependent on performance day and time and also where you decide to sit.
Plot Overview
Set in the 1970’s the era of Bollywood, Bombay Superstar is the story of blooming starlet Laila and her romance with dashing hero Sikandar. Laila left her home in Madras when her mother died and went to Bombay to find her Appa who she had never met as her mother and father had an affair which resulted in her birth. She has a bad start but end up starring together in blockbuster musicals, where heroes tend to rescue beautiful ladies from the clutches of villains, on the mean streets of Bombay. They gradually fall for each other and the intensity of their emotions threatens to ruin everything they have. Sikander is married so will Laila go down the same route as her Amma.
Review
This is a show which I did not really know what to expect. I have never watched Bollywood films or musicals. What is Bollywood about? When words can’t convey an emotion, then songs do that. And when a song doesn’t convey an emotion, then a dance does. Ultimately, it’s a seamless blending of drama, music, dance, and fashion. Most of the singing was done in Punjabi so there were subtitles so that non speakers could understand. This was a much needed touch, although it was tricky to read the words and watch the amazing dancing. The singing and dancing told the story and showed all the emotions of friends, lovers, baddies and betrayal. The costumes were beautiful and the scenery very simple – extravagance here was not needed as the dancing was the thing that kept you riveted to the stage.
The singing was done mainly by two cast members – Amar who played Pammi – the news reporter and Chirag Rao who played Din Dayal, Lailas father and a film producer. They both had amazing voices and relayed the emotion in the scenes.
Great performances by all the cast of 11 – Vicky was great and Laila and Sikander were brilliant.
The songs were from Bollywood in the 1970s and 1980s so would be recongnised by people who had watched Bollywood.
I would recommend this show for anybody who likes a story of love and romance, with a touch of humour. Also anyone who likes great singing and fantastic, colourful dancing.
Date of performance – 20th October 2022
Date of review – 21st October 2022
Running Time – 2hr 40 mins including 20 min interval.
Rating out of 5 – 4 out of 5
Price of tickets – £15.00 to £41.00
Buy tickets – www.belgrade.co.uk
Tickets & information – 02476 553055
Venue – Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Dates showing – Sat 15th – Sat 22nd October 2022