STRICTLY DANDIA

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Strictly Dandia fails to kick start

Indian Traditional Dance performance at the Lyric

Dance kicking their way beyond traditional boundaries, hot young British Gujaratis can be seen re-enacting the mating season of the Navratri Festival at the Lyric Hammersmith until 14 February.

The performance is enjoyable, and often very funny indeed, but like a handful of stardust or a fireworks show, Strictly Dandia sparkles on the way up, and fades as quickly.

If you like traditional Indian dance blended with leisure centre high kicks, and sexually implicit rhythms, then you will certainly enjoy it. Conversely, though, if you like intellectually gutsy theatre, this show won’t kick start you.

Presented by the Tamasha Theatre Company, Strictly Dandia focuses on the nine competitive, nights of dancing that lead up to the Hindu festival of lights, and the crowning of the Diwali King and Queen.

The competition provides opportunities for young Gujarati men and women to attract the ‘right’ partner, and the eye of the Diwali judges.

When a couple of Muslim boys slip in the back door and threaten not only to dance better than any of the young Hindus but to win their partner’s hearts, things get serious. Well, a bit serious.

Partners Fiona Wade as Preethi and Paul Tilley as Raza stand out for their fiery dancing, along with Sonit Shringi as Shrenek Patel. Despite his size, not only does Shringi move with silky sureness, he also conveys definite menace when he’s challenged.

Most of the performance takes place amongst bare benches and scaffolding with colour supplied by the girls’ brilliant costumes, amidst sophisticated and vivid lighting effects.

Strictly Dandia was written in partnership by Kristine Landon-Smith and Sudha Bhuchar, who plays Preethi’s mother, Prema Datani.

Vivienne DuBourdieu

January 26, 2004