(Samantha Misra, Varsha Sharma, Evashnee Pillay, Kajal Bagwandeen, Aakashna Deokumar & Kymmona Maharajh)
Stunning costumes and visual images mark fifth instalment in Bollywood style extravaganza series. (Review by Caroline Smart)
The fifth in Nateshwar Dance Company’s showcase that takes the form of a Bollywood stage extravaganza series, Chalo Cinema 5 marks the approach of Indian Cinema’s 100th anniversary.
The narrative of the storyline is carried by audience favourite Afzal Khan as a failed film producer with Rahul Brijnath and Vedarsha Singh as his friends. Their chatty dialogue creates the links as the friends try to give the producer ideas for themes and scenes from these famous Indian films and dances follow.
Mumbai-based choreographer Shampa Sonthalia has brought out the best in the Nateshwa dancers who put in a performance of high energy. Headed by their top dancers Kajal Bagwandeen, Varsha Sharma, Evashnee Pillay, Iqram Rahim and Samantha Misra, the troupe appears in an impressive variety of numbers, each with a splendid change of costume.
The audience responds with delight to this journey down memory lane, often singing along with the well-loved numbers from old movies.
By the end of the show I attended on Saturday night the performers had given a matinee but there was no indication of flagging or tiredness. I was surprised they were even still standing!
Chalo Cinema is directed by Rakesh and Smeetha Maharaj designed by Rakesh Maharaj with sets by Irek Karamon and lighting by Dylan Heaton and Richard Parker.
The set is minimal and we first see it in its blazing pure white. There are a series of platforms, ramps and side flats – all in white. The reason for this is soon discovered when the first of many sumptuous – and often breath-taking - photographic images flood the stage. Through this process, the Drama Theatre stage transforms into a scene in the park, a beach with rolling waves behind it, a rural village in India, an elegant home or simply a brick wall. Not to mention some glorious scenes inside an ancient cathedral and a temple.
My only problem is that the production is way too long and many scenes could be cut. The constant to-ing and fro-ing of the actors also holds things up. They would be better off placed at the side of the stage in various changes of costume to mark the passage of time.
This is a complicated show from a technical point of view but there were numerous glitches in scene changes which will have hopefully been sorted out.
Chalo Cinema 5 is presented by Epic Entertainment and runs in the Playhouse Drama until May 27. Shows at 19h30 Tuesday to Saturday with extra matinee shows at 15h00 on Saturday and Sunday. The production moves on to the Lyric Theatre and Gold Reef City for a short run from June 15 to 17. Tickets R125 and R100 booked through Computicket. – Caroline Smart
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