The phenomenal success of past shows such as Cats and Starlight Express has made Andrew Lloyd Webber an international household name. But his latest oeuvre, Bombay Dreams was something of a gamble for the British composer and musical impresario. If he ever harboured any doubts about his decision to ride the crest of the current wave of interest in Indian-themed entertainment, however, they were laid to rest on Wednesday night. The opening show was greeted by a standing ovation at London’s Apollo Theatre and enthusiastic comments from several celebrities in the audience.
Denise Van Outen described the show as “absolutely brilliant”, while musical star Claire Sweeney applauded Lord Lloyd-Webber’s daring. “I thought it was a fantastic, an original show that I think will do very well,” she said afterwards. “It is very brave to put something like this on in the West End but there’s room for everything.” Also in the audience on opening night were Sir Michael Caine and his wife Shakira, American singer Grace Jones and former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.
Three years in the making, Bombay Dreams was written by the Indian composer AR Rahman, who has scored over 50 Bollywood movies and has notched up more album sales than Madonna and Britney Spears put together. The musical tells the tale of a boy from the slums who dreams of silver screen success and falls in love with the daughter of a movie mogul. It stars a cast of young British Asians, including Bend It Like Beckham actress Preeya Kalidas, 21, in the role of the heroine Priya, Raza Jaffrey as the hero Akaash, and This Life star Ramon Tikaram.
Prior to opening night, Lloyd Webber had admitted to having reservations over how the show would be accepted. “It is a gamble,” he said. “And I would be puffing things up if I didn’t admit that, despite all the hype about London’s Indian summer, it will open to a much smaller advance than any other musical this season.” That didn’t stop him being ebullient about the genre’s potential, however. “I’ve heard the future of music and it’s Indian,” he declared.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Flanked by the cast of Bombay Dreams, a jubilant Andrew Lloyd Webber holds aloft the hand of Indian composer AR Rahman, who wrote the music for the show
Photo: © Alpha
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Denise Van Outen, who chose an appropriately themed dress for the evening, described the new production as "absolutely brilliant"
Photo: © Alpha
