Amazon.co.uk Review
The Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced musical
Bombay Dreams arrived on the London stage in June 2002. It's a hard task to retain the exciting authenticity of the Bollywood musical while coating it in a layer of West End musical, without dissipating the whole experience. Considering that
Bombay Dreams composer AR Rahmen is one of such a phenomenon in India, it is odd that much of this music comes across as cheap imitation. One has the feeling that he was trying (or was he pushed?) to squeeze the music into a box, and only now and then does it burst forth from its restrictions. "Chaiyya Chaiyya" is one of the best pieces, in Hindi and with added metal guitar it has real oomph, but comes from the much-loved Bollywood film,
Dil Se, and is a massively popular song in India.
"Closer Than Ever" also has something, with interesting chord progression and some soaring lines for the singers to get their teeth into--the only number to do this. There are beautiful moments, but with no evident characterisation and appallingly banal lyrics by Don Black, it doesn't grab. The show itself makes up for the lack of musical originality with some stunning choreography, but ultimately leaves one wishing that they had just brought over a real Bollywood musical. --Antonia Couling