Rifco Theatre Company’s Surinderella returns for a nationwide tour, reimagining pantomime through a British South Asian lens on an ambitious scale. Touring across the UK from July to October 2026, the production blends Bhangra-driven music, Bollywood-inspired spectacle and traditional pantomime energy into a fast-paced retelling of a classic fairytale. Set in the vibrant world of Bolly-Woods, the story follows Surinder as she navigates family expectation, identity and self-discovery, surrounded by a heightened cast of characters including social media-obsessed stepsisters, a talking cow and a larger-than-life fairy godmother figure. Directed by Ameet Chana, with music and lyrics by PBN, the production also brings together performers including Andy Kumar and Harpz Kaur in roles that extend beyond performance into wider creative input. Positioned as the UK’s largest-scale British South Asian pantomime, it aims to reframe a traditionally British form for new audiences across the country. Against the backdrop of this nationwide tour, cast and crew reflect on the making and meaning of the production. For Rifco, Surinderella is designed to bring British South Asian audiences into a tradition that has not always reflected them. Director Ameet Chana explains that the show leans into that ambition with scale and identity at its core. He says the production is a cultural crossover built to widen access to pantomime for communities who may not have seen themselves on stage before. The production’s character design reflects that intention, with high-octane Bhangra beats, an eco-warrior Surinder and selfie-obsessed step-phenjis. At its core, Surinderella is described as a brilliant, glittering mirror reflecting modern, multicultural Britain. The creative foundation began with a structural similarity between pantomime and Bollywood, sharing larger-than-life characters, over-the-top drama, slapstick comedy, vibrant costumes, audience interaction and musical numbers. Writer and artistic director Pravesh Kumar reframed Cinderella into a contemporary British South Asian context as a rags-to-rani fairytale. Bringing the concept to final production involved collaboration between Pravesh, PBN, the wider creative team and Ameet Chana. After strong audience response during the initial run, the team expanded the show into this national tour. Inside the rehearsal room and on stage, Surinderella is built around high-energy transitions between comedy, music and movement.
