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APA, Lyric Theatre Tuesday 2-February 14

The story of The Merchants of Bollywood, like the stories of the countless productions from the incredibly prolific, Mumbai-based film industry that inspired it, hardly matters. As British writer-director Toby Gough succinctly tells us before the show’s world tour stops by Hong Kong, the entirety of his show can be summarised as: “Boy meets girl. Family disapproves. Boy and girl run away. Villain intercedes. Girl returns home. Gods intervene. Death, resolution, marriage, happy ending.”

Written four years ago when he was working amid the tsunami-devastated communities in Sri Lanka, Gough’s musical extravaganza tells the real-life family history of well-known Bollywood dance choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, whose insider knowledge of the industry was an essential part of Gough’s creation process. “For the last 90 years, the Merchant family have been making classic movies in Bollywood, yet their story has never been told,” says Gough. “And every star in Bollywood feels that [he] owes them a favour. There are the dream makers, who work behind the camera. Everybody felt it was time that their story was told.”

With lavish production values, energetic dance sequences, and a wide range of classic tunes drawn from India’s history – from spiritual songs to folk songs, golden oldies, and the high energy hits of today – Gough has one hell of a joyous spectacle on his hands. “[Watching The Merchants] is like walking onto the set of a Bollywood film, and getting swept away in the romance, dance and melodrama,” he raves. “I personally think it’s the best show [about] India in the world, [as it] tells the story of India with respect, integrity, and razzmatazz.”

Edmund Lee

Tickets: 3128 8288; www.hkticketing.com.