What: Red Carpet arrivals for London performance of Miss Bollywood musical, starring Shilpa Shetty.When: Wednesday 12th December
Where: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London
Bollywood superstar and international icon Shilpa Shetty comes to audiences across Europe, as she makes her mesmerising stage debut in "Miss Bollywood" - a musical tour de force guaranteed to bring theatre audiences leap closer to the grandeur, opulence and true essence of the world's largest film industry popularly known as 'Bollywood'. Celebrated for her outstanding dancing abilities in the realm of Bollywood film, Shilpa Shetty is set to bring the stage alight, leading a performing company of over 40 leading dancers from Bollywood film and beyond in a musical extravaganza that has never before been brought to the international stage.
Miss Bollywood is set against the backdrop of London, in preparing for the 2012 Olympics. It follows the story of 'Maya' - performed by Shilpa Shetty - a classically trained dancer and choreographer, recently arrived from India to set up a dance academy in a soon to be demolished East London building. Maya soon finds herself thrust into the limelight, where she must either sink or swim. Her tribulations include the unwanted attentions of a famous but predatory producer and a jealous diva. Will vulnerability, purity of heart and a sizzling passion for dance allow Miss Bollywood to fulfill her dreams against all the odds?
The musical is a concoction of riveting dance sequences that could be entered in the Olympics, showcasing a combination of eclectic dance forms taken from the east and west of India, absorbed and transformed into the phenomenon known as 'Bollywood' dance, with Shilpa Shetty re-capturing on stage some of the Bollywood film industry's greatest hits over the past 40 years.
Miss Bollywood also takes a gentle look at the cultural divide between characters with Asian heritage but who consider themselves totally British and those who are from India in search of fame and fortune in Europe's multi-cultural capital city. The Olympic ideals of fair play and trying one's very best are the inspiration for the storyline and setting, in keeping with the tone of a spectacular show that places entertainment and wow factor as its top priorities.After months of passionate rehearsing and preparation for what is set to be the most electrifying stage event of the year, Shilpa Shetty comments, "The project has been a labour of love in its entirety, and seeing its fruition, from the initial concept into a tangible realisation has been a dream come true. Miss Bollywood will appeal not only to fans of Bollywood films and their super catchy hit songs but also to the mainstream audiences for high energy dance or musical theatre. Extravaganza is the right description!"
The show is devised by renowned choreographer Ganesh Hegde, whose previous credits includes working with Michael Jackson. The stunning costumes have been designed by leading Indian fashion talent Neeta Lulla, who often dresses Shilpa Shetty in her films and an array of other A list Bollywood actresses. Miss Bollywood comes to Royal Albert Hall, London on 12th December with international celebrities gracing the red carpet including singer Jay Sean, Tottenham footballer Jermaine Defoe, Member of Parliament Keith Vaz, Celebrity Big Brother participant Daniel Llyod and host of other vip's. So all you Londoners, do not forget to buckle your shoe, take your house keys, put on your jumper and scarf and get ready to join the celebrations along with your favourite Shilpa Shetty tonight at the Royal Albert Hall.
