Rifco Theatre Company today announces the full cast and 2026 UK tour of its critically acclaimed musical Frankie Goes to Bollywood, a joyful, big-hearted show celebrating modern British South Asian life through love, laughter and Bollywood spectacle.
During its 2024 run, Frankie Goes to Bollywood was seen by over 35,000 people, with 63% first-time theatregoers. It returns in 2026 following that demand, bringing the show back to venues across the UK.
Led by Sarah Pearson in the title role, Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a joyful, high-energy musical about an ordinary Huddersfield girl catapulted into a glittering world of Bollywood. As Frankie chases her dreams under the dazzling glare of fame, she must decide what she’s willing to risk, and what she’s prepared to sacrifice along the way.
For 2026, the production features brand-new Bollywood songs by composer Harry Anand, expanding the show’s musical world and bringing a bigger Bollywood sound to the stage.
The 2026 tour brings together established and rising British South Asian performers, continuing Rifco’s mission to put contemporary British South Asian stories on the UK’s main stages.
Cast:
The 2026 tour stars
● Sarah Pearson as Frankie
● Akshay Datta as Prem
● Meher Pavri as Mallika
● Luke Suri as Shona
● Ankur Sabharwal as Raju King
● Katie Stasi as Goldy
Cast Highlights
Frankie Goes to Bollywood is led by Sarah Pearson in her title role as Frankie.
Pearson’s theatre credits include Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder (Edinburgh Fringe/UK Tour) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Wolverhampton Grand/Edinburgh Fringe), and most recently the BBC drama Virdee.
Sarah said: “I am so excited to be playing Frankie in this wonderful musical. This show reflects and celebrates British South Asian experiences in a way that feels deeply personal and long overdue. I am honoured to contribute to a story that resonates with our community and beyond. A story with honesty and heart.”
Idealistic young director Prem is portrayed by Akshay Datta.
Akshay is an actor and singer with an MBA from the Indian School of Business, with professional training in India and advanced study in New York and Los Angeles, alongside formal training in Indian classical music. Screen credits include Jawan, Jug Jugg Jeeyo and Guilty Minds, with theatre credits including The Greatest Show on Earth and Umrao Jaan Ada: The Musical.
Meher Pavri joins the cast as Mallika, the Queen of Bollywood who is not giving up her crown without a fight.
A multidisciplinary performer across opera, theatre, musical theatre, film and television, she has toured internationally with Mahabharata (Why Not Theatre), performing as the Voice of Krishna at the Barbican, Lincoln Center, Perth Festival and venues across Canada.
Luke Suri brings comic joy to the role of Shona, Frankie’s bold and extravagant confidant.
His credits include Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Theatre and alternate on the UK tour) and work as a production vocalist across Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Ankur Sabharwal plays Raju King, Bollywood royalty and the scion of an acting dynasty.
Ankur has over two decades of experience across musical theatre and new writing, and training at the Oxford School of Drama. Credits include Come Fall in Love (Manchester Opera House), Monsoon Wedding: The Musical and Rifco’s Sepoys in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, alongside leading roles in classics including West Side Story, Evita, Hair and Grease.
Katie Stasi returns as Goldy, Frankie’s best friend across thousands of miles, having originated the role in 2024.
Her credits include Māyā (Soho Place), Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre) and The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Royal Winchester), and she trained at Performance Preparation Academy.