Frankie Goes To Bollywood at The Oxford Playhouse Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
Arriving at the Oxford Playhouse is always a special experience. The theatre describes its vision as “A Playhouse for Everyone” and Rifco Theatre’s vibrant production of Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a welcome addition to the Playhouse’s programme. Rifco is a registered charity, specialising in creating work that celebrates British South Asian life and culture, with tours across the UK ensuring they reach wide and diverse audiences.
Featuring original music by Harry Anand, the musical follows Frankie, a young British woman who, having lost her mum as a child, watches old Bollywood films in an attempt to connect with her mother in her dreams. Frankie works as a cinema usherette with her best friend Goldy, who dreams of Bollywood fame. When Frankie bumps into an aspiring and sincere film director, Prem Kapoor, she is somehow cast into his new film alongside ageing star Raju King, who is struggling to hold onto his fame.
Frankie finds herself drawn into the glamorous but demanding world of Bollywood cinema, only to discover that not all that glitters is gold. The story shines a light on the Hindi film industry, based in Mumbai, portraying its glamour and spectacular storytelling alongside darker themes such as misogyny and nepotism. Although these issues added depth to the narrative, I felt it stopped a little short of a more meaningful exploration of the realities behind the glitz.
Sarah Pearson gives a charismatic performance as Frankie, combining warmth, energy and super vocals. Pearson fully commits to her character’s transformation, making Frankie feel like a completely different character by the end. Katie Stasi is also impressive as the grounded Goldy, bringing humour and spirit to the role. Her solo number in the second act was a particular highlight. The rest of the talented cast work brilliantly together and add much to the overall passion and spirit of the show.
This is a production that never holds back and really packs a punch in terms of colour and vision, with the stage seeming to expand with the passage of time, from rainy England through to showcasing Bollywood, reflecting Frankie’s developing world. The second act really picks up the pace and the choreography and music become the cornerstones of the production. Ranging from traditional Indian dance to energetic Bollywood numbers, the performances are delivered with great enthusiasm and precision by the talented ensemble and topped off with absolutely stunning costumes.
The production is also very funny, with lots of laugh out loud references to the over-the-top world of Bollywood, with its exaggerated, powerful characters and highly charged emotional melodrama, completely revelling in all the cheesiness – all great fun!
Fun, joyful and bursting with Bollywood glamour, Frankie Goes To Bollywood is the perfect way to kick off the start of summer – highly recommended!
Rating: 4/5
Frankie Goes To Bollywood is at the Oxford Playhouse in Oxford from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th June, for more information visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/frankie-goes-to-bollywood or to book tickets, visit or call the box office on 01865 305305
The Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW