by Zahid Fayyaz

Cabaret star Shafeeq Shajahan has returned with a retooled and expanded version of his show from last year at the same venue. Heavily referencing and influenced by the 1970’s Bollywood film Satyam Shivam Sundaram, he works together with collaborator and composer Vasilis Konstantinides who is also a wonderful cellist. The show is a look at Shajahan’s background growing up as a queer man, the difficulties his faith and religious community presented, and its role in adding to his scars.

In the original film, the main diva is Roopa, a beautiful village girl with a massive facial scar. She is rejected by her love Rajeev after he marries her. He had fallen in love with her voice but without seeing her face. Roopa then gets her revenge after praying to the gods, and there is the obligatory Bollywood happy ending. Shajahan draws on the story to illustrate his own ‘scars’ and bad treatment in his childhood.

This is a very entertaining show overall, with lovely songs and funny asides from Shajahan. In particular, “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” is beautifully and emotively performed. The constant costume changes helps keep things propulsive. Overall, this is an entertaining and emotional show and performance, and is well worth watching, either at its current run or in any future life it may deservedly have.

Shafeeq Shajahan: The Bollywood Guide To Revenge runs through 5 April.

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