Phizzical is delighted to announce from ITV London studios that our fun family experience Bring on the Bollywood is a finalist for the Best Theatre Production at this year’s Asian Media Awards.

Bring on the Bollywood is produced in association with Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.  Written by Samir Bhamra and Steve Nijjar, it featured music by Ustad Sarvar Sabri, Niraj Chag and Devesh Sodha and songs by Robby Khela. High energy, graceful and colourful dances were choreographed by Sonia Sabri, Leena Patel and Subhash Viman.  Bhamra also designed the costumes and directed it alongside assistants Chirag Lukha and Madeleine Oaten. Bring on the Bollywood featured superb lighting by Broadway designer Pete Bragg and set design by Olly Shapley.

Samir Bhamra says, “I am delighted that that British born Bollywood story has been receiving the recognition it deserves.  For many many years, Bollywood dancers have been seen as ‘community’ and not professional, and Phizzical has been determined to change mindsets about that.  British born and bred performers perfected the nuances of the art-form and it has been receiving incredible praise from audiences and reviewers alike. Britain has been exporting talent to the Indian film industry since the birth of cinema.  Dada-Saheb Phalke, the god father of Indian cinema sold his wife’s jewellery to buy a motion camera and film stock. He worked collaboratively with his artists to make the first Indian film Raja Harishchandra.  I am delighted that the team I put together, who worked with us collaboratively, who bought into and believed in the vision whole-heartedly are enjoying the reward of this nomination.  For a small project funded organisation, this is a BIG BIG deal.“

The Asian Media Awards 2016 will showcase the very best talent working in Asian media and creative industries. The winners will be announced on the 27 October at The Hilton, Manchester. 

The University of Salford are premier sponsors to the 2016 events and partners include ITV, MediaCom, Press Association Training and the Manchester Evening News. The official charity partners for 2016 are The Asian Circle and Oxfam. The Asian Media Awards 2016 are supported by Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Manchester Metropolitan University, Routes into Languages, AMT Lawyers, Espoke Living, Cleartwo & Payal.

Phizzical easily justifies its name: it fizzes and whizzes, sizzles and bristles and teases with comedy, makes you want to laugh and sing, and tickles you with a storyline that could be a cousin of The Comedy of Errors or Twelfth Night. 
RODERIC DUNNETT