RIFCO Arts

Rifco Arts is a theatre company which focuses on bringing British Asian stories to the stage, and audiences from the community into theatres.[1] The company was founded in 1999 by director Pravesh Kumar.[2]

Rifco is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.[3]

In June 2014 Rifco were further awarded funding by the Arts Council for Creative People and Places project in Slough.[4]

Well-known actors who have worked with Rifco include Shabana Azmi, Goldy Notay, Ameet Chana, Shivani Ghai, Rik Makarem, Harvey Virdi, Simon Rivers and Divian Ladwa.

The company runs an artist development programme for emerging and developing artists: Rifco Associates.[5]

The company has been a resident theatre company at Watford Palace Theatre since 2011.[6]

In November 2016 Rifco announced their tour for 2017 – Miss Meena & the Masala Queens. Written by Harvey Virdi.[7]

Awards

  • 2013, Break The Floorboards – winner of Best Live Event, Asian Media Awards 2013[8]
  • 2011, Britain's Got Bhangra – winner of People's Favourite Musical, Off West End Theatre Awards [9]
  • 2016, British Asian Festival – nominated for Best Live event and Laila The Musical nominated for Best Stage Production, Asian Media Awards 2016[10]
  • 2015, Happy Birthday Sunita – nominate for Best Stage Production, Asian Media Awards [11]

Past productions

  • 2016, Laila The Musical, written by Pravesh Kumar, music by Sumeet Chopra, lyrics by Dougal Irvine
  • 2016, British Asian Festival
  • 2015, 2006 & 2005, The Deranged Marriage by Pravesh Kumar
  • 2014, Happy Birthday Sunita by Harvey Virdi
  • 2014, British Asian Film Festival
  • 2013, Break The Floorboards by Yasmin Khan
  • 2010 & 2010, Britain's Got Bhangra, written by Pravesh Kumar, music by Sumeet Chopra, lyrics by Dougal Irvine
  • 2009, Where's My Desi Soulmate by Sonia Likhari and Harvey Virdi
  • 2008, It Ain't All Bollywood by Pravesh Kumar
  • 2007, There's Something About Simmy by Pravesh Kumar
  • 2006, Meri Christmas by Harvey Virdi
  • 2003 & 2000, Bollywood – Yet Another Love Story by Pravesh Kumar
  • 1998 & 1999, Airport 2000 by Ajay Chhabra, Gurpreet Bhatti, Pravesh Kumar and Harvey Virdi

References

  1. ^ "Rifco". Rifco.
  2. ^ "Rifco theatre company chief: 'diversity does not always mean cost'". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. ^ "National Portfolio Organisations". Arts Council England. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Arts in Slough to be given a boost thanks to Arts Council funding". Slough Express.
  5. ^ "Rifco seed commissions". House Theatre.
  6. ^ "Creative Associates". Watford Palace Theatre.
  7. ^ "Rifco Announces UK Tour Of New Play MISS MEENA AND THE MASALA QUEENS". Broadway World. 23 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Asian Media Awards finalists revealed". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  9. ^ "OFFIE WINNERS GALORE!!!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!". OffWestEnd.com.
  10. ^ "Asian Media Awards 2016 Finalists". Asian Media Awards.
  11. ^ "Asian Media Awards Finalists Announced At ITV". Asian Media Awards.