The West End Bhangra Musical, The Alexandra, Birmingham - review

But when The West End Bhangra Musical came to Birmingham’s Alexandra theatre as part of its nationwide tour on Saturday evening, it didn’t completely live up to its name.

The idea, from BBC Asian Network’s Dipps Bhamrah, was to bring legendary Bhangra icons together with dancers, lighting shows and “big stage production” to give crowds a never-before-seen experience in a theatre, rather than the traditional banqueting halls and clubs.

But taking your seats in the beautiful theatre, expecting to settle down and enjoy a brilliant line-up, is very quickly snatched away when you realise it’s not that kind of show. The audience, for a start, just don’t want to sit down or quietly talk among themselves.

Clips on a big screen of the old-school legends giving a rare insight into their careers became difficult to make out as rowdy groups overpowered the venue with their noisy chatter.

Fans were constantly up on their feet, storming the aisles and the front of the theatre with their dancing. Others decided to spend the evening playing musical chairs and swapping seats, while others casually walked up to the stage, snapping selfies with the stars during the performances.

Tingles

And at one point, one theatre-goer just seemed to pull himself up onto the corner of the stage for a solo performance. Cameramen were just as distracting, constantly rushing all over the place and getting in the way to grab shots. At times, it didn’t feel too distant from an Asian wedding.

And all of this would have been fine if it didn’t dampen the experience for the rest of the crowd, still sitting in their seats and struggling to see - not something you usually experience at a theatre.

But I totally get it; Bhangra music is infectious. As soon as your hear a Dhol drummer’s beat, it sends tingles down your spine, awakens your soul and commands you to get up and dance.

Mixing traditional Bhangra dancing with “mainstream Urban” was also slightly disappointing. Dancers donning Star Wars and Tommy Hilfiger tops, as well as tracksuit bottoms and jeans, was a very strange vibe - something ladies queuing for the toilet during the interval seemed to also think. The choreography was dull and the performers seemed unprepared, spending most of their time awkwardly looking at each other for the next move.

But, the one saving grace was the music - DCS, Heera, Pardesi and Apna Sangeet alongside The Legends Band. There’s no doubt they are all Bhangra gold, effortlessly bringing to life their amazing string of hits and proving that true talent is timeless.

Watching these stars take to the stage decades after their tunes hit the Bhangra scene was nothing short of special - and watching Apna Sangeet perform Soho Road and Apna Sangeet Vajeh Apna Sangeet was pretty magical. Just these singers alone would have been enough.

The concept was great, the legendary Bhangra acts were just that, but it didn’t really work in a theatre.