Topic started by Sajeev Raj (@ 210.195.144.64) on Sat Apr 13 22:31:21 EDT 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
Bombay Dreams is releasing in June 2002
Responses:
- From: leels.uk (@ 62.31.224.1)
on: Sun Apr 14 04:39:50 EDT 2002
yeah
i have booked tickets for the premiere- mid may
in london, would love to listen to the songs before that, any one knows where?.
considering that its getting released in may, hardly any publicity here in tv or news other
than occasional mention here and there.
beckham's foot seems to be more important than anything else.
eagerly awaiting !(how many tunes can i spot!)
- From: ??????????? (@ 216.211.76.125)
on: Sat Apr 20 17:01:28 EDT 2002
cool
- From: Genius (@ 65.205.71.253)
on: Mon Apr 22 14:06:08 EDT 2002
will it happen in the US ? if Yes, where possibly?
Dallas ? anyone..
- From: raju (@ 213.1.45.10)
on: Mon Apr 22 18:02:19 EDT 2002
leels.uk..... u must be dreaming!!!!
check out buses on oxford street...full of bombay dreams posters. check the tube ads for bombay dreams. 2 weeks ago the observer mag was a bombay dreams special. i have seen atleast 3 tv news items including 6pm news on BD. even last nights bombay blush had a bit abt it. BUT BUT bUT
i am sorry to say bekham's foot is more important cs we need/have to win the world cup this time
- From: magix (@ 203.199.248.135)
on: Mon Apr 22 21:13:46 EDT 2002
raju.. do u think u can get a clipping of the BD ad on the net???
do try, pleeze!
- From: passerby (@ 210.212.49.14)
on: Tue Apr 23 00:07:21 EDT 2002
checkout
www.bombaydreamstheshow.com for song clippings
- From: MTV (@ 202.9.167.42)
on: Mon Apr 29 05:04:14 EDT 2002
Rahman’s Bombay Dreams is a musical sizzler
24th Mar 2002 17.27 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau
Talented music composer A.R. Rahman has churned a number of catchy melodies for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End musical play Bombay Dreams.
The play, being directed by Steven Pimlott, tells the story of a poor boy who comes to Bombay to make it big in Bollywood. It will have fourteen numbers composed by Rahman. Out of these, five are familiar movie tracks like “Chhaiyya-Chhaiyya” and “Shakalaka Baby” while others are new tracks – including a wedding song and a tapori number with eunuchs – that Rahman has composed exclusively for the play.
The idea for Bombay Dreams was born about three years ago when Shekhar Kapoor introduced Webber to Rahman’s music. Webber was particularly captivated by Rahman’s “Chhaiyya-Chhaiyya” number from Dil Se”. He has labeled Rahman’s music as the best he has heard since the Beatles.
Presently Bollywood choreographer Farah Khan is working along with British dancer Anthony Van Laast to work out a fusion between contemporary western dance and the typical Bollywood steps for the play.
“Bombay Dreams” will open in India on June 19.
http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/music/20020324-0.html
- From: Suks (@ 66.161.167.111)
on: Mon Apr 29 07:56:17 EDT 2002
As a reasonable ARR fan (as opposed to the "fans" who frequent these forums), I have 3 concerns regarding BDs box office viability:
(1) At the end of the day, no matter who is backing it, it is an "Indian" play. Droves of britons are *not* going to flock to it. Neither are American tourists (who make up bulk of the people who go to theater in Britain anyway). They will stick to the tried and tested "Les Miserables"..etc..
(2) ALWs other target audience - Indians. Hmm...except for the well-to-do types/hard-core ARR fans, I doubt the average desi will go for this. Lets face it, on the face of all promos/show web site that I have seen , its basically a ....mediocre Hindi movie - on stage!! (albeit with music by ARR) Why shell out big bucks when I can see the same crap in some new Hindi movie JFFGGKH or some such?
(3) The show officially opens on June 19th. If Britain is still around in World Cup Soccer, God help the show. Before someone points out that shows run for years/decades etc. and not weeks, I am just concerned that factor (3) in combination with (1)+(2), doesnt bode well.
Hope I am proved wrong.
- From: duhhhh (@ 194.117.151.69)
on: Mon Apr 29 08:42:33 EDT 2002
couldnt agree more suks.
- From: duhhhh (@ 194.117.151.69)
on: Mon Apr 29 08:58:43 EDT 2002
and hope u 're proved wrong
- From: Dreaming Ooh La La (@ )
on: Thu May 30 18:30:32 EDT 2002
the latest on the site has fuller versions of the songs. shakalaka baby now sound more like an IR number! For the first time, i like the song, but the other songs will take some time getting used to: sounds like Tamil songs with English lyrics. I squirmed a bit initially. so, 40% of the time it will be like that because 40% i believe is the copied songs of ARR
Any guesses on what songs were lifted? my guesses are:
Mustafa Mustafa
Strawberry Kanne
Oo La La
Chutti Chutti from Taj Mahal
Ingiringo Injiringo
Chandralekha
Aathangara Maramey
Nee Kattum Selai
Kokku Sevai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chikku Bukku Rayile may also be there, because you can see some rail tracks on the home page. don't azhagan ratchasiye... that will finish it.
- From: Ooh La La Laa (@ 172.160.81.182)
on: Thu May 30 18:35:03 EDT 2002
e meant Indian songs of ARR used for bombay dreams
www.bombaydreamsthemusical.com
by the way, has anyone got any more information on the show?
- From: yaaro (@ 213.121.212.121)
on: Fri May 31 09:15:20 EDT 2002
just wait-If you are back here on sunday morning,I will tell you what it was like.
I had been to london yesterday-I agree with prakash's obs about BD posters.A hero who looks like a P**i(sorry,I am no racist or anything),That is the first thing which can put people off.You look at the posters in the underground,then lower your eyes and look away...
Like I said,If they had roped in whoever doing MR's poster,it would have been so esthetic.
I was in an indian book store when the owner was calling the booking line for BD-apprently she had a poster or something and this said that tickets were available for 14 pounds.I
oops I have to go,I will continue later
- From: jaypee (@ 203.197.134.195)
on: Fri May 31 12:38:56 EDT 2002
BOMBAY DREAMS WILL BE A SUPER DUPER FLOP
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.50.181)
on: Fri May 31 18:02:09 EDT 2002
//I was in an indian book store when the owner was calling the booking line for BD-apprently she had a poster or something and this said that tickets were available for 14 pounds.//
continuing-
conversation ran thus
are tickets,the 14 pound ones available?
......
no?what else is there?
......
WHAT?40 or 50 pounds?
.....
(to father)they have an offer,dinner in indian restaurent,they pick you and drop you in the theatre-47.50 per head(to the chap on the phone)ok we,will get back to you.
and she was clearly taken aback by the prices.I booked my ticket 2-3 months back-I think tomorrow the 16 pounds will be full and the upper classes are going to be half empty.
- From: IR Raasi for Bombay Dreams (@ 172.135.133.171)
on: Sat Jun 1 02:25:19 EDT 2002
Bombay Dreams first preview show on June 2, sunday afternoon. Also happens to be IR's birthday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/showbiz/newsid_2019000/2019079.stm
- From: May 31 or June 2? (@ 172.135.133.171)
on: Sat Jun 1 03:03:17 EDT 2002
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4424152,00.html
this one says preview may 31, confusing, yaaro, any idea?
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.49.188)
on: Sat Jun 1 03:43:53 EDT 2002
//Andrew Lloyd Webber's ambitious musical based on the spectacular style of Bollywood movies opens in the West End on Friday// c and p from the first lines of above link.the first show was yesterday.In fact,whn I was trying to book the tickets,I was specifically trying for sunday-I was told there are no shows on sunday.you have confused me!I have just checked my ticket-it says 1945 on saturday 1st june.
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.49.188)
on: Sat Jun 1 03:46:45 EDT 2002
If any one has access to satellite or digital TV today in UK-there is a programme in BBC4 at 8 pm today .About dance sequences from Indian films.They showed a clipping from muqqala muquabala.Interview with prabhu deva as well.lasts fro an hour after which there is teesri manzil-I think an old hindi film.
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.49.188)
on: Sat Jun 1 03:48:31 EDT 2002
//Andrew Lloyd Webber's ambitious musical based on the spectacular style of Bollywood movies opens in the West End on Friday// c and p from the first lines of above link.the first show was yesterday.In fact,whn I was trying to book the tickets,I was specifically trying for sunday-I was told there are no shows on sunday.you have confused me!I have just checked my ticket-it says 1945 on saturday 1st june.
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.49.188)
on: Sat Jun 1 03:51:05 EDT 2002
another thing-BD is in its preview stage only now.This is the stage when ,I think,they gauge the response and see how things go,when it gets reviewed.It opens formally on 17th or 18th of june.Probably based on response to show in its preview stage,I think they would have made changes to make it more interesting-added or deleted scenes.
- From: raycas (@ 212.186.40.21)
on: Sat Jun 1 04:15:36 EDT 2002
here is a message from the arrahmanfans group in yahoo:
from a webber fan group
Bombay Dreams - First Preview
June 1 2002 at 12:32 AM Erika
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
The story, as short as I can make it, is: Akaash, a poor boy whose
parents have died in an infamous slum clearing a couple of years
back dreams of being a Bollywood star and gets his chance to sing
for the camera when his eunuch friend Sweetie smuggles him into
the "Miss World Show" being organised by the film producer
(currently jailed for tax evasion and at loggerheads with the local
mafia) Madan and directed by his ambitious daughter Priya. In a
feminist riot (consisting of two dykes in combat gear and a handfull
of mercenary eunuchs) he grabs the chance and starts singing and
dancing in front of the cameras, thus catching the attention of said
producer who casts him in his comeback movie together with
the "goddess of Love", famous actress Rani. Akaash and Priya, who's
engaged to slimy lawyer Vikram (secretely working for the mafia),
fall in love - and thats where the mayhem starts......the whole is
punctuated by commentary from washed up gossip columnist Kitty (for
those in the UK - think Smeeta Smitten, Showbiz Kitten from Goodness
Gracious Me).
Personally I loved it. The story was well told, had a very good
book, lots of insider jokes, both for musical people and bollywood
fans (so I've been told by the father of "Akaash" after the show),
very good lyrics and great music. It was very toe tapping - we all
did - you could see heads bobbing in time with the beat all over the
theatre and also had some very haunting melodies. The costumes are
very colourful, the scenery extremely well designed with some very
spectacular and advanced effects, but without overshadowing the
action (see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and the choreography
outstanding. The direction was excellent as well. There were a few
slow or drawn out bits which could be tightened, but heck, it's the
first preview. At the interval Andrew said after a fan told him the
show was great that it wasn't totally ready yet. All the actors
where great, a special mention
to "Akaash", "Rani", "Sweetie", "Priya" and "Kitty" - the only one
who didn't really pull it off for me was the film producer father of
Priya, he always seemed to be slightly off - off cue, off key, off
rhythm - yes I know you need to see his bits to understand the
story, but they needed tightening up.Scenes and songs that stood out
in my opinion where the Beauty contest, Shakalaka Baby (the "film
scene in the musical")Chaiyya Chaiyya, Ganeesh and the Wedding
Qawwali, the latter being one of the best stage fight scenes I've
ever seen ! All in all I think its fresh,colourfull, original and
with great new music (well. 60 % new at least ) and great fun! Go
see it. I'll certainly be back there when it opens!
Take care
Erika
- From: yaaro (@ 195.93.34.7)
on: Sat Jun 1 19:44:57 EDT 2002
Finally, back from london after watching BD.here are my obs:
The show was full today-I guess there must have been atleast 500 people-of which whites would have been around 50-75.extensive asian crowd,old thetre, shouts of ''anitha?''other indian names ,that ye olde atmosphere reminded me exactly like I was watching an hindi film in madras theater!
did I like it-yes.will I see it again?-No.
The thing is ,after advent of movies ,the fan base for theaterical movies is fast disappearing.This,musical,unlike other previous musicals from ALW will not be having repeat audience.
I think all of you must be familiar with the story-how a poor boy from slums makes it big in bad world of hindi films.
regarding music-ARR has reused his film songs extensively.
The there are 19 nos-many repeated again and again-so the no of actual songs will be around 8.
-the bombay awakens music sort of forms the theme music which gets repeated in all emotionals-happy or sad(sort of like then paandi..)This is a new no.
There is a vigorous dappanguthu equivalent no which is the hero intro-typical hindi no from ARR.
One song which has been extensively used is Ishq bina from taal.
Other songs which have been used from films-
Ooh lalala(imgine maana marathu in english!)
Rangeela re
shakalaka baby(which is promoted as the main catchy no)
chaiya chaiya
the songs which come for the ganesh festival,the qawali nos are short ones.There is another no called salam bombay which reminds me strongly of anotherARR no which I cannot just place.
There are a few nos which are slow where the hero
and the heroine are mooning about each other-these are,IMO,nonspecific and do not stand out.
He has used chorals very extensively.
Not much scope or use of back ground music.
Good production values,good settings are other good points.
Will it run long term-only time will tell.I seriously doubt it for the few reasons which had been mentioned in 'nightmares 'thread.One is the subject matter-so non -white.so the repeat value from whites is almost going to be nil.
Asian crowd-they may not be willing for a second seeing when the first round itself will set back a family by 100-150 pounds.
I was sitting next to a young white chap-
he said that he found music good.
(he had paid 20 pounds for parking!)wait till 19 th june for your verdict-that is when the album is released!
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