Bombay Dreams

Music by A R RAHMAN; Lyrics by DON BLACK; Book by MEERA SYAL
Based on an idea by SHEKHAR KAPUR & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
Presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Director - Steven Pimlott
Decor - Mark Thompson
Lighting - Hugh Vanstone
Sound - Mick Potter
Choreography - Anthony Van Laast & Farah Khan
Additional Arrangements - Christopher Nightingale
Musical Director - John Gladstone Smith
Fights - Malcolm Ranson

Apollo Theatre, London - Opened 19, June, 2002 - Closed 13 June 2004

The story centers around Akaash, a young man from the slums of Bombay who dreams of becoming the next big star in Bollywood. Fate steps in when a rich pro-bono lawyer and his fiancée, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, arrive to prevent the demolition of Akaash's slum. Akaash quickly falls in love with the lawyer's fiancée, Priya, who happens to be the daughter of a famous Bollywood director, and the ticket to the top that Akaash needs. Complications arise as Akaash faces the reality of show business, fame, his love for Priya, and his obligations to his family, friends, and his Paradise slum.

The plot includes frequent reference to the change of name from Bombay to Mumbai of the titular city and references the identity issues that this raises.

The plot, format and characters of Bombay Dreams were revised several times. The book of the musical was rewritten and many songs were cut and other songs added to the show for the Broadway run.

Original Cast

Raza Jaffrey - Akaash
Preeya Kalidas - Priya
Ayesha Dharker - Rani
Raj Ghatak - Sweetie
Shelley King - Kitty
Raad Rawi - JK
Dalip Tahil - Madan
Ramon Tikaram - Vikram
Ralph Birtwell - Prison Guard
Sharon Gomez - Choreographer
Rebecca Grant - Clever Contestant
Sophiya Hague - Miss New Mona
Irvine Iqbal - Cricketer
Rashig Karapiet - Mr Reddy/Old Reporter
Zehra Naqvi - Munni
Natalie Ngyutin - Mumtaaz/Renu
Wayne Perrey - Builder
Andrew Playfoot - Anupam
Adlyn Ross - Shanti
Royce Ullah - Salim

Other parts played by members of the company:

Marina Abdeen; Stephen Berkeley-White; Lara Costa; Chris Crocker; Douglas Scott Franklin; Floyd Hendricks; Stephen Rahman Hughes; Melissa Hunte; Dean Hussain; Craig James; Sarah Leatherbarrow; Daniel Lindquist; Anjali Mehra; Sylvia Neira; David Olton; Kella Panay; Davina Perera; Tania Pied; Praveen Sond; Lisa Stevens; Antonio Susinni; Paul Tilley

Musical Numbers

1. Bombay Awakes
2. Bombay Dreams
3. Like An Eagle
4. Love's Never Easy (Reworked version, Original: Ishq Bina - Taal)
5. Don't Release Me
6. Happy Endings (Reworked version, Original: Rangeela Re - Rangeela)
7. Ooh La La (Reworked version, Original: Ooh La La La - Minsara Kanavu)
8. Shakalaka Baby (Reworked version, Original: Shakalaka Baby - Mudhalvan)
9. Are You Sure You Want To Be Famous? (Refined version, From: Sona Nahi Na Sahi - One 2 Ka 4)
10. I Could Live Here
11. Only Love
12. Chaiyya Chaiyya (Reworked version, Original: Chhaiyan Chhaiyan - Dil Se)
13. How Many Stars
14. Salaam Bombay
15. Closer Than Ever (Reworked version, Inspired from: Nahin Saamne - Taal)
16. Ganesh
17. The Journey Home
18. Wedding Qawwali
19. Bombay Sleeps

Discography:

Original London Cast Recording. Click on picture to buy.