Rifco Theatre Company’s musical comedy-drama will run at Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June, with a BSL-interpreted performance on Wednesday.
Oxford audiences will be taken into the colour, pressure and ambition of Indian cinema when Frankie Goes to Bollywood comes to Oxford Playhouse this June.
The musical, presented by Rifco Theatre Company and BEAM Hertford, runs from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June at the Beaumont Street venue. It follows Frankie, a young British woman whose quiet life is turned upside down when a chance encounter draws her into the world of Bollywood stardom.
Behind the music, costumes and choreography, the show looks at fame, identity, belonging and the compromises expected of women in a high-pressure industry.
At a glance
What: Frankie Goes to Bollywood
Who: Rifco Theatre Company and BEAM Hertford
Where: Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW
When: Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June 2026
Times: Evening performances at 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm
Age guidance: 8+
Running time: 2hrs 35mins, including interval
Access: BSL-interpreted performance on Wednesday 3 June at 7.30pm
Tickets: From £15, with a booking fee possibly applying
Booking: Call the Box Office on 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com
What is Frankie Goes to Bollywood about?
Frankie Goes to Bollywood tells the story of Frankie, a young British woman who has little interest in fame until she is swept from ordinary life into the glare of the Bollywood spotlight.
As cameras roll and expectations grow, Frankie has to decide how much of herself she is willing to trade for success. The show uses the scale and style of Indian cinema to ask sharper questions about who gets to belong, who gets to lead, and what women are asked to accept in the pursuit of stardom.
The result is billed as a musical comedy-drama, mixing big dance numbers and theatrical spectacle with a story about ambition, identity and finding a voice in an industry that often expects people to follow the script written for them.
Who is involved?
The production comes from Rifco Theatre Company, known for work that reflects British South Asian lives and experiences. The company previously brought Britain’s Got Bhangra to Oxford Playhouse, and Frankie Goes to Bollywood continues Rifco’s interest in music-led storytelling, cultural identity and popular entertainment.
The show has concept and book by Pravesh Kumar, who also directs. Songs and music are by Niraj Chag, with songs and lyrics by Tasha Taylor Johnson, and original Bollywood songs by Harry Anand.
The cast includes Sarah Pearson as Frankie, Akshay Datta as Prem, Meher Pavri as Malika and Ankur Sabharwal as Raju King. There is also a local connection: Sabharwal trained at the Oxford School of Drama.
Why the story matters
Director Pravesh Kumar said the show is rooted in questions of belonging, especially for British-born South Asian people who may still be treated as outsiders despite generations of family life in the UK.
He said the idea of working in Bollywood can feel like a homecoming for some, but that the industry also raises difficult questions about sexism and the roles women are expected to play, both on screen and behind the scenes.
“I have an enduring love for Bollywood, its vibrancy, its artistry, and its people, and this musical is, at its heart, a tribute to that world,” he said.
“But loving something doesn’t mean overlooking its flaws. My hope is that this work serves as a small catalyst for progress: for greater respect, recognition and equality for women across the industry, both on screen and behind the scenes.”
What audiences can expect
The production is designed as a full-stage musical, with choreography, colourful costumes and a story that moves between comedy, romance, ambition and self-discovery.
For Oxford Playhouse audiences, the appeal is likely to be the mix of spectacle and subject matter. It is not simply a tribute to Bollywood glamour, but a story about what happens when a British woman enters a world built on image, expectation and intense public attention.
The show also gives local audiences a chance to see a touring British musical that places South Asian stories and performers at the centre of the stage.
Performance details
| Date | Time | Access note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 2 June | 7.30pm | |
| Wednesday 3 June | 7.30pm | BSL-interpreted performance |
| Thursday 4 June | 2.30pm and 7.30pm | |
| Friday 5 June | 7.30pm | |
| Saturday 6 June | 2.30pm and 7.30pm |
How to get there
Oxford Playhouse is on Beaumont Street, close to Gloucester Green and within walking distance of Oxford railway station.
The theatre advises audiences to allow plenty of time for their journey. Gloucester Green bus and coach station is around two minutes away on foot, while Oxford railway station is about a ten-minute walk from the venue.
Drivers should also check current travel arrangements before setting off. Oxford Playhouse says the venue sits outside the temporary central permit area, but some journeys through central Oxford may pass congestion charge locations.
Tour context
Oxford is one of the later stops on the 2026 tour, which also includes dates at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Birmingham Rep and Bristol Old Vic.
| Venue | Dates |
|---|---|
| Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch | Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May 2026 |
| Oxford Playhouse | Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June 2026 |
| Birmingham Rep | Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 June 2026 |
| Bristol Old Vic | Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June 2026 |
FAQs
When is Frankie Goes to Bollywood at Oxford Playhouse?
The show runs from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June 2026.
What time are the performances?
Evening performances are at 7.30pm. There are also 2.30pm matinees on Thursday 4 June and Saturday 6 June.
Is there a BSL-interpreted performance?
Yes. The Wednesday 3 June performance at 7.30pm is listed as a BSL performance.
How long is the show?
Oxford Playhouse lists the running time as 2hrs 35mins, including an interval.
What is the age guidance?
The show is listed as suitable for ages 8 and above.
How can I book tickets?
Tickets can be booked through Oxford Playhouse online or by calling the Box Office on 01865 305305.
