Earlier this year I was included in a list of musical theatre actors and actresses compiled by Desiblitz. This was a wonderful honour, as I’m not specifically trained in musical theatre, but I have been in several musicals.

Musical theatre training is very specific to that genre, there are several drama schools and dance colleges that have degree courses. This can range from Arts Educational School, The Royal Academy of Music, Mountview and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to name a few. Most graduates from these courses will be actor/singers, or what’s known as a triple threat: singer, actor and dancer.

Having shared a stage several times with MT (musical theatre) performers, I’m always full of admiration for their skill set and performance level; so it was wonderful to be recognised on a list of British Asian musical theatre performers.

My first musical was West Side Story in the West End, and to be part of that was like a dream come true. I’ve always loved the film, and the music is sensational.

Bombay Dreams was and is a huge part of my life, creating the role of Sweetie for which I was nominated for two awards. The show was a game changer with music by double Oscar winning A R Rahman, book by Meera Syal and produced by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show ran for two years, then transferred to Broadway.

There are so many other productions including: being the male lead role in the opening production of The Curve where The Queen came to see us, The Secret Garden in Toronto, Soho Cinders which was nominated for Best New Musical and original cast for the multi award winning Everybody's Talking About Jamie.

Here’s the article from Desiblitz I hope you enjoy, and continue to support productions with these people in them.

https://www.desiblitz.com/content/20-british-asian-musical-theatre-actors-actresses