First UK Asian same-sex marriage play, Stardust to open up in September

The first UK Asian theatre production based on same-sex marriage, is set to open up in September.

The universal story, ‘Stardust’ will also explore topical issues such as the #MeToo movement, toxic masculinity and the patriarchy. It will play at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre between 14th and 19th September 2019.

Paying homage to the reincarnation genre in popular Indian cinema and to cult, Bollywood films such as ‘Mahal’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Stardust’ is a romantic, pop, R&B and Bollywood musical thriller from the makers of ‘Bring on the Bollywood’, featuring pulsating dance numbers coupled with emotive, melodious ballads.

‘Stardust’ will mark a first for the British stage as the first South Asian theatre production to feature same-sex marriage. It will also explore topical issues such as the #MeToo movement, toxic masculinity and the patriarchy.

Playing the central role of Amar will be Robby Khela, who has penned original pop and R&B songs for the musical. His recent credits include Grindr The Opera, which won Best New Musical at The Offies 2019 and Indian films including ‘Judwaa 2’, ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur’ and ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’. Khela’s work in music has seen him support pop acts such as Craig David, Blue, Lemar, Girls Aloud and Misteeq on tour. He re-joins Phizzical having previously appeared in the previous national tours of ‘Bring On The Bollywood’ and ‘Cymbeline’, a Bollywood staging of William Shakespeare’s late plays.

Joining him will be Amanda Clapham, best known for her portrayal of Holly Cunningham in Channel 4’s ‘Hollyoaks’ – a series regular and fan-favourite for the past five years. No stranger to the stage, Amanda performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Norris & Parker – All Our Friends Are Dead and played many leading roles during her training, to include Cissy in Punk Rock and Lady Anne in Richard III.

The cast welcomes the familiar face of Sophie Kandola who plays Amor, the Whitney Houston of Bollywood. Sophie began her professional career with Phizzical, first starring in the short musical film Mad About The Boy and the national tour of Bring on the Bollywood. Her recent credits include playing Coco in Fame.

Christoph L. Dorocant will be playing the role of the music mogul Cyrus Singhania. His highlights include the Hollywood film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and theatre productions The Tempest, directed by Simon Usher (The Print Room) and God City at the Shuffle Festival hosted by Danny Boyle.

With director Samir Bhamra, creative director of the UK Asian Film Festival and director of three large scale performances during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the cast are working with a remarkable creative team: deaf writer Shahid Iqbal Khan; international composer Devesh Sodha; songwriter Robby Khela; choreographer to celebrities choreographer Dr Leena Patel; designer Richard Evans (Seussical, Guess How Much I Love You, Avenue Q UK tour) and lighting designer Grant Anderson (Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, NTS’s My Left Right Foot and Edinburgh’s 2017 Hogmanay Torchlight Procession, Street Party and Midnight Moment).