One of the big hits of 2010 was Britain’s Got Bhangra. Now the same team of writer-director Pravesh Kumar and composer Sumeet Chopra have created a new show based on a story of star-crossed lovers, popularised by a 12th-century Persian poet and a forerunner of Romeo and Juliet. But, while the musical has a lively score, it lacks the vivid contemporaneity of its predecessor.
Kumar tries to give it modern resonance by bookending Laila’s legendary love for her family’s enemy, Qays, with a brief account of a modern namesake fleeing a tyrannical dad to be with her chosen chap. But, since the original story ends tragically, it is hard to see how it would inspire a modern woman, and the issue of forced marriages is too thorny to be resolved with a song and dance. Dougal Irvine’s lyrics – which include Laila’s brother saying of her lover, “If he tries to climb these walls/ They’ll string him up by the balls” – hardly invoke the Persian past.
The cast, however, deserve great credit, not least for resuming the show after it was halted just before the end by an audience member being taken ill. Mona Goodwin and Reece Bahia make personable lovers, while Sheena Patel and Kush Khanna as the second leads put across a sprightly number, We Don’t Need Love, with great verve. But the most beguiling figure is Surrinder “Shin” Singh Parwana, who plays both the hero’s ailing father and a tassel-swinging Parthian prince. Shin, who was Twinkle in Britain’s Got Bhangra, confirms he is a real star.
• At Watford Palace theatre until 17 April. Box office: 01923 225671. Then touring.
