From the creators of the award-winning Britain’s Got Bhangra (People’s Favourite Musical – Off West End Awards), comes a new contemporary musical, retelling the greatest love story from the east - Laila Majnu.

From the creators of award-winning acclaimed musical Britain’s Got Bhangra comes a new contemporary musical - Laila. Director and Writer Pravesh Kumar (The Deranged Marriage, There’s Something About Simmy), Music Composer Sumeet Chopra (Break the Floorboards, Karma Chopra) and Lyricist Dougal Irvine (Departure Lounge, In Touch) have come together for a retelling of the greatest eastern love story – Laila Majnu.

Originating in 7th century Persia, the bittersweet story of star-crossed lovers has been passed down through verse and song over centuries. It was popularized by 12th century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi with his version Layla u Majnun and British poet Lord Byron described the story as the “Romeo and Juliet of the east”. Predating Shakespeare’s play by 700 years, it is said to have inspired the bard’s tragic love story and has been the basis for numerous popular Bollywood films and songs.

The story of young love and feuding families is being given a modern musical twist by the Laila creative team.

Artistic Director of Rifco Pravesh Kumar said, “Laila Majnu is one of the oldest love stories but has rarely been told in the west. The story has travelled across borders and generations through music and verse and is a natural musical. I wanted to share this beautiful story and look at the timeless themes of love and honour in today's multicultural Britain.”

Rifco has been a resident theatre company at Watford Palace Theatre since 2011, creatively working together to bring audiences relevant and engaging stories which reflect the contemporary British Asian experience. Co-productions include Britain’s Got Bhangra (People’s Favourite Musical – OFFIES 2011), Break The Floorboards (Best Live Event – Asian Media Awards 2013), British Asian Film Festival, Happy Birthday Sunita and MummyJi Presents. They recently completed a successful UK tour of comedy drama The Deranged Marriage.

Laila opens at Watford Palace Theatre April 2016 before touring to The New Wolsey Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Warwick Arts Centre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Theatre Royal Windsor and The Lowry.

LISTINGS LAILA

2 - 17 April Watford Palace Theatre - On sale now

watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk / 01923 225671

27 - 30 April The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich - On sale now

wolseytheatre.co.uk / 01473 295900

4 - 8 May West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds - On sale date TBC

wyp.org.uk / 0113 213 7700

10 - 15 May Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry - On sale 3 Dec

warwickartscentre.co.uk / 024 7652 4524

17 - 21 May Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch - On sale date TBC

queens-theatre.co.uk / 01708 443333

24 - 28 May Theatre Royal Windsor – On sale 13 Nov

theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk / 01753 853 888

31 May - 4 June The Lowry, Salford - On sale 27 Nov

thelowry.com / 0843 208 6000