Bollywood Steps

Created by Simmy Gupta and Ajay Chang
Presented by the Nutkhut Company
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
29th - 30th July 2006

Reviewed by Helen Grey

The steps of the Catholic Cathedral played host to a spectacular show over the weekend, which incorporated dance, pyrotechnics and water effects. Bollywood Steps – created by Simmy Gupta and Ajay Chang – is a site-specific dance show inspired by Bollywood film and how 'it uses the architectural landscapes of towns and cities as a natural stage'.

The atmosphere was relaxed as the five hundred strong crowd waited for the light to fade enough for the show to start. As the time hit 9.40pm, smoke started to rise from the top of the steps as twenty nine dancers gracefully traversed the steps of the cathedral. The ladies were dressed in delicate white and pink traditional Bollywood costumes that were illuminated in the red light that bathed the steps. The scene was set for forty five minutes of sparkling light and excitement.

The show incorporated humour and fantastic dance pieces with dazzling light and water effects. The nine professional South East Asian dancers - supported by twenty young dancers from across Liverpool’s South Asian community – fashioned a lively and visually stunning show that did actually come close to creating a true cross-community event.