Tweet

Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams Premieres 19 Jun

Andrew Lloyd Webber's much-anticipated Bollywood musical spectacular has confirmed dates for its world premiere this summer. Bombay Dreams will open on 19 June 2002 (previews from 31 May) at the West End's Apollo Victoria - where Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express closes this week after an 18-year run.

Bombay Dreams represents an unusual departure for Lloyd Webber. Although he conceived the new work, along with filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, it will not feature any of his music. Instead, it will be scored by young Indian composer A R Rahman, who Lloyd Webber has lauded as "one of the most exciting young composers of our time".

In fact, Lloyd Webber was inspired to undertake the project when he saw the Indian film Dil Se (From the Heart), which features a scene showing villagers dancing on the roof of a train and singing a Rehman song. In total, Rehman has composed the music for more than 50 Hindi films. British actress and comedian Meera Syal provides the book for the new musical

Bombay Dreams revolves around young man who moves to Bombay in order to fulfil his dream of a life in the movies. The city is home to "Bollywood", the £750 million Indian industry which produces and internationally distributes some 600 films a year. A love story - embracing dreams, ambitions and cultural roots - unfolds against this vivid

The show will be directed by Steven Pimlott and designed by Mark Thompson, with choreography by Anthony van Laast. Shekhar Kapur is acting as associate producer with Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company. The company will feature largely unknown principals - including 21-year-old Preeya Kalidas from Twickenham, south London - but full cast details have not yet been announced.

- by Terri Paddock

Related Content