Opening Night Eye-Opener: Bhangra Nation

Alanna Boden
Thursday, February 29, 2024

The cast shine particularly brightly in songs where authenticity is allowed to take centre stage

Jena Pandya (Mary) and Iván Fernández González (Billy) (All images credit: Craig Sugden)

Mary (Jena Pandya) grapples with feeling undervalued in her university’s bhangra troupe. She yearns to incorporate kathak, a style she learned from her late mother, into their choreography for their competition routine at the Nationals. On the other hand, Preeti (Zaynah Ahmed) is adamant about preserving authenticity in the routine, staying true to her robust Punjabi roots. She rejects external influences and insists on dancing bhangra and bhangra only.

From this point, a battle unfolds in the style of Pitch Perfect, setting the stage for two distinct narratives and contrasting musical and dance styles. While many moments authentically reflect the cultural history of the South Asian experience, the story also incorporates theatrical elements for the benefit of the audience.

This blend is mirrored in the music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, with the cast shining particularly brightly in songs where authenticity is allowed to take centre stage.

Zaynah Ahmed (Preeti) and the bhangra troupe