Rifco Theatre Company returns to Oxford Playhouse this week with Frankie Goes to Bollywood - a vibrant, feel-good celebration of love, courage and self-discovery.

The story follows Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame, who is swept from the gritty, grey streets of Huddersfield into the glittering Bollywood spotlight following a chance encounter.

This week, Frankie and her dazzling co-stars have taken over Oxford, from the Bodleian Library to Clarendon Building, and now to the Playhouse stage itself. Passers-by even witnessed a preview of the show’s astounding choreography during a performance outside the Divinity School yesterday.

As the latest production from Rifco Theatre Company - who have previously visited Oxford with Britain’s Got Bhangra in 2010 - the show continues the company's 25-year mission to reflect contemporary British Asian experiences, culture, and society. For more than a quarter-century, Rifco has been taking its new plays and musicals across the country.

This visually spectacular musical uniquely blends Bollywood music with British pop and West End flair. Beneath the glamour and stardom, the show explores the high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced and women are expected to play by the rules.

Pravesh Kumar MBE, Artistic Director of RifcoTheatre Company and creator and director of the production, said:

"At its core, the show explores the idea of belonging. In the UK, British-born South Asian people are often still viewed as immigrants, regardless of how many generations their families have lived here. For some, pursuing a career in Bollywood – whether in front of or behind the camera – can feel like a kind of homecoming. Yet, being British-born and new to much of the culture, many women entering the Bollywood industry quickly become aware of the deeply ingrained sexism, not only within the system itself but also in the stories portrayed on screen. They are then faced with the challenge of how much of that disparity they are willing to tolerate, and how they can contribute to change.

I have an enduring love for Bollywood – its vibrancy, its artistry, and its people – and this musical is, at its heart, a tribute to that world. But loving something doesn’t mean overlooking its flaws. My hope is that this work serves as a small catalyst for progress: for greater respect, recognition, and equality for women across the industry, both on screen and behind the scenes."

Sarah Pearson brings to life the titular character Frankie, leading a principal cast that includes Akshay Datta as Prem, Meher Pavri as Malika & Maa, Ankur Sabharwal as Raju King, Katie Stasi as Goldy & Mummy, and Luke Suri as Shona. They are supported by a talented ensemble of dancers and performers - Tash Bacarese-Hamilton, Anna Maria Barber, Harry Brooks, Elinor Hallett, Kiran Kaanan, Marina Lawrence-Mahrra, Neelam Rajni, Dhruv Ravi and Aron Rhode.

Created and directed by Pravesh Kumar, the show’s creative team includes Niraj Chag (Songs & Music) and Tasha Taylor Johnson (Songs & Lyrics). The world of Indian cinema is brought to life by original songs from Bollywood hitmaker Harry Anand. With associate direction by Ameet Chana, the set design is by Rebecca Brower, lighting design by Phillip Gladwell, and sound design by Chris Murray. The Musical Supervisor & Musical Director is Josh Sood, with dramaturgy by Carl Miller, assistant choreography by Anna Maria Barber, original choreography by Nicola Mac, and dialect coaching by Gurkiran Kaur.

The show is produced by Rifco Theatre Company in association with BEAM Hertford.