SME News Q4 2024 / 40 Best South Asian Theatre Company 2024 Wherever you are in the world, it is the theatre that perhaps offers up the best of what a location has to offer. Effortlessly reflecting the culture of a region, the stories told in these settings stay with people forever, transforming lives and improving understanding. Well aware of all of this, Leicester-based company Phizzical Productions is responsible for commissioning and producing South Asian artistic and cultural experiences, truly ‘Telling Tomorrow’s Stories Today’. For more than 20 years, Phizzical Productions has been delighting and inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds, entertaining whilst also nurturing important conversations about different identities and cultures. Founded by Samir Bhamra – an experienced writer, director, costume designer, producer, and CEO – Phizzical has spent the past two decades realising its ambitions through dozens of shows of all different genres, styles, and sizes, many of which have filled indoor and outdoor venues alike throughout the country. At time of writing, Phizzical just yesterday wrapped up an almost ten-day stint at the Beck Theatre in Hayes, West London with its show Bombay Superstars. Created by Samir himself, this production, which recently played on the West End, is a vibrant and romantic musical that serves as a love letter to the legends of Bollywood – complete with the discos, divas, and drama that became synonymous with these personalities. Boasting a cast of 23, this show was the fourth South Asian musical made in the UK to show on the West End, the first to be created by an independent British-Asian producer, and had an incredible response from the South Asian community which it was made for. It is not only in the world of theatre where Phizzical has proven itself to be adapt, and Samir has found success directing for the big screen too, as seen through the recent short film he wrote and directed, Mad About the Boy. Shown at more than 20 global festivals and picking up more than 15 awards across such categories as music, cinematography, costume, and directing, this short film tells the story of a male songwriting duo who enter into a gay marriage, detailing the journey they go on when one of them moves to a country where homosexuality is illegal, forcing him to enter into a sham marriage. Regardless of the nature of a project it produces, Phizzical always does so according to its values of ambition, dignity, inclusion, integrity, and transformation. The team here are wholly committed to diversifying the UK arts scene, creating and presenting highquality work that nurtures dialogue between communities whilst also deepening audience engagement. Beyond this, Samir and co. are also invested in young talent and helping their careers to flourish. This is something carried out with help from the company’s board and staff. Phizzical’s passion for its craft can be attributed to the family it has built over the past 21 years and counting, a family today comprised of audience members, behind-the-scenes creatives, immensely talented performers, and dedicated partners. Its talent development initiatives have seen Phizzical discover and empower hidden South Asian gems and bring them into the mainstream. Notable examples include Nisha Aaliya who debuted with Phizzical, worked on two musicals, and has gone on to star in Marvel’s Secret Invasion; Devesh Sodha won the Best Music Producer award at Youth Music, and is subsequently having his bespoke musical commissions being used in films, trailers, etc. e.g. most recently featured in the promotions for Wicked. By listening to members of the South Asian community in the UK and giving them a platform to tell their stories – not only for this generation but also for the next – Phizzical is striving to eradicate unconscious bias, something more important now than ever. In short, to watch a Phizzical production is to see the best teams of Asian, Bollywood, Middle Eastern, and African dancers, musicians, and choreographers doing what they do best – offering up a unique taste of South Asia in a way that is both fun and accessible to European audiences. Soon Phizzical will be touring Shahid Iqbal Khan's Olivier Award nominated play 10 Nights again between 8th Jan – 8th Feb 2025, delivering to Riverside Studios in London, Derby Theatre, The Lowry in Salford, Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, and Birmingham Hippodrome. Named as the Best South Asian Theatre Company 2024, Phizzical Productions does theatre remarkably well, but it is about so much more. Serving as a broker for lasting partnerships and co-productions for national venues of all shapes and sizes, improving marketing campaigns for the shows and other such projects it runs, and mentoring the next generation of artists and creative leaders are just some of the ways in which this company is building a better future for the South Asian community across the UK. Contact: Samir Bhamra Company: Phizzical Productions Web Address: https://www.phizzical.com/
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