11 November 2017
Newsdesk
Enter the decadent world of the Bombay Roxy, where the jazz is ‘hot’ and the atmosphere is heady…
Swamp Studios is thrilled to announce that its brand new, site specific production, Night at the Bombay Roxy, will extend its run at the as-yet-unopened Dishoom restaurant in the iconic Barkers Building in Kensington, London, due to overwhelming popular demand. This rich, immersive Indian noir will now play from 27 November until 14 December.
First look images have been released today featuring the lead roles; Vikash Bhai, who will play the role Cyrus, and Sophie Khan Levy who will play Ursula, photographed in the decadent world of the Bombay Roxy, a café and jazz club housed within a former Art Deco cinema, set in Bombay, 1949.
Bhai and Khan Levy will be joined by Raj Aich as Romesh, Seema Bowri as Farah, Manish Gandhi as Rudy and Harmage Singh Kalirai will play the role of the Inspector.
A swinging five-piece jazz band will complete the ensemble transporting audiences to the opening night of the Bombay Roxy. Laurence Garrat will feature on double bass alongside Miguel Gorodi on trumpet, Leon Greening on piano, Dave Ingamells on drums and Helena Kay on saxophone and clarinet. The performance will be matched with a lavish dining experience. Audience members will be greeted with welcome cocktails, and then will feast on a menu of classic Bombay dishes as the performance unfolds.
Night at the Bombay Roxy is set in the intriguing world of 1940s Bombay, where an unexpected and exciting jazz scene was flourishing alongside a uniquely Bombay version of the Art Deco style (the city remains the biggest and best example of Art Deco architecture in the world, after Miami). Whilst Bombay’s architects and designers studied Western Art Deco, they redefined it by creating a distinctive Indian style. Jazz was first introduced to Bombay in the 1930s by touring American artists who opened the city’s ears to new sounds. Local musicians were quick to catch on, and by the 1940s ‘hot jazz’ was everywhere. This was Bombay’s glamorous jazz age, as told in Bombay-based author Naresh Fernandes’ critically acclaimed book, Taj Mahal Foxtrot – the inspiration for this play.
Bombay, 1949
It is a close and heavy monsoon night on Marine Lines. Despite the weather, there is a jostling of people outside the Bombay Roxy. The club didn’t always have this pull or indeed its current reputation. The man behind the reinvention is the charismatic Cyrus Irani, whose name was once synonymous with Bombay’s racketeers, with murky allegiances, and with police escorts to Arthur Road Jail. But now Cyrus fully intends to put the Bombay underworld behind him. And his new venture, the Bombay Roxy, might just be his redemption.
Night at the Bombay Roxy has been created by Swamp Studios, an innovative theatre company, led by Ollie Jones and Clem Garritty (from the award-winning theatre collective Kill the Beast). Directed by Eduard Lewis, Associate Director of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax (The Old Vic, 2015), the rest of the creative team includes composer Dom James, movement director Sara Green, lighting designer Christopher Nairne and sound designer, David Gregory.
A SWAMP Studios production
NIGHT AT THE BOMBAY ROXY
Conceived and Written by Ollie Jones and Clem Garritty
Inspired by Taj Mahal Foxtrot, written by Naresh Fernandes
Directed by Eduard Lewis
Creative Producer, Shamil Thakrar
Designed by Ollie Jones, Clem Garritty and Shamil Thakrar
Music composed and arranged by Dom James, movement directed by Sara Green, lighting designed by Christopher Nairne and sound designed by David Gregory
Cast includes Raj Aich, Vikash Bhai, Seema Bowri, Manish Gandhi, Sophie Khan Levy, Harmage Singh Kalirai
27 November – 14 December 2017
Venue: Dishoom Kensington (officially opening 15 December 2017)
Address: 4 Derry Street, Kensington, London W8 5SE
Website & ticketing: nightatthebombayroxy.com
Night at the Bombay Roxy Performance Schedule
There are three arrival times in 15-minute intervals starting as follows:
Monday – Friday from 6.45pm
Saturday – Sunday from 1.30pm & from 6.45pm
There is no performance on Monday 4 December
Tickets price: £72 (inclusive of welcome drink, set menu & service charge)
Drinks packages will be available.
Set menu details (served family style)
• Non-vegetarian: Far Far, Vegetable Samosas, Bhel, Keema Pau, Chicken Biryani, Mattar Paneer, Black Daal, Kachumber, Raita, Naan, Kulfi or Bun Maska Pudding.
• Vegetarian: Far Far, Vegetable Samosas, Bhel, Pau Bhaji, Jackfruit Biryani, Mattar Paneer, Black Daal, Kachumber, Raita, Naan, Kulfi or Bun Maska Pudding.
The performance lasts up to 3 hours. Guests have their table for the whole evening and are welcome to stay in the restaurant or bar until 11pm.
Suggested Age Recommendation: 18+
