A pantomime cow, a pair of selfie-obsessed stepsisters, and a romance plucked straight from a Bollywood blockbuster... British South Asian theatre company Rifco are this month making a welcome return with Surinderella, their acclaimed adaptation of the classic Cinderella fairytale. 
The production sees Harpz Kaur - presenter and erstwhile BBC Asian Network breakfast-show host - taking on the role of Surinderella’s Devi Fairy Godmother. Harpz is very much looking forward to making what will be her theatrical debut in the show - as she explains to What’s On...

Harpz, can you describe Surinderella for anyone new to the show...
I was lucky enough to watch last year when they brought it on tour. Little did I know I was going to be a part of it a year later. It wasn’t something I’d even thought about at that point, but watching the production itself, I absolutely loved it. It’s such a nice production - it’s very family friendly. You can bring your children; it’s fun, it’s colourful, you will go on an emotional rollercoaster, you will laugh a lot, you will sing your hearts out - hopefully you’ll be dancing, too - the music is great. But also, it’s a little bit emotional here and there, in terms of the storyline. We all know how the story of Cinderella goes, but the way that the cast and the team have put this show together, it’s so beautiful to watch.

The national tour opens at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre - where are you in the rehearsal process?
Yes, we’ll be heading to Coventry first; it’s quite an intense tour - I didn’t realise what I was getting myself into, but I’m very excited. We’ll be starting off in Coventry, and there are many more cities we’ll be visiting.
We’re actually kicking off rehearsals this Monday. It’s going to be quite full-on now for the next couple of weeks, but I’m really looking forward to it. I think the role that I’ve been given is perfect for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better part - I’ll be playing the fairy godmother! She kind of narrates the story of Surinderella. With my background, being a presenter, I feel I naturally fall into this role anyway - to tell the story in my weird and wonderful ways. 

As a broadcaster, you’re no stranger to having an audience - but is joining a theatre company a brand-new departure for you?
The strange thing is, being a broadcaster, I’ve fallen into other things naturally. I do a lot of stage work as a host, I do a lot of live events. I’ve always worked with a crowd or an audience. Having done a breakfast show before [on the BBC Asian Network], I know how to engage with people - that part of it, I’m okay with, knowing that it comes like second nature to me. However, doing it as a theatre production is a whole different scale. It’s a new platform for me, so to do what I do in a theatre is going to be very different.
I feel it’s just the perfect fit. I feel this was naturally going to be my next step. It’s a new challenge and I’m so ready for it!

What’s your history with Rifco Theatre?
I’ve followed Rifco for years now. I’ve watched many of their plays over the years - I’m a big fan, hence why this is even more exciting. I just really, really admire what they do, especially for British South Asians coming forward into a world like this. It’s so nice that they give us the opportunity to tell these stories in our own way, to connect with our communities. I think because I’m so involved with my culture, it’s now so exciting to perform in a different way for them too. I love the team, I love the way they work. Having watched so many of their theatre productions before, I already know that this is going to be a lot of fun. 
Anyone who’s not been to a theatre production like this before, or someone who’s not experienced Rifco before, please do come and experience it, because it’s so incredible to watch. It’s so much fun and it’s family friendly, so bring along anyone you like and I promise you, you will leave feeling magical!

Surinderella is a combination of Bollywood glam and British panto - what does that mean for the show’s design?
It’s going to be very sparkly and very colourful. There’s a lot of glitter, and with me being the Devi Fairy Godmother, I’m going to have a lot of fairy dust… As a whole, it’s just fun! That’s the perfect word for it. If you’re up for something that’s sparkly, glittery, colourful - this will be right up your street.
I went for my photoshoot a week ago, and I had to squeeze into an outfit that they’d used last year, so I got a little gist of it - that was the first time I saw it, and I was blown away. You will see me in a way that people haven’t really seen me before. People who’ve followed my work and have seen me on stages - it’s going to be a shock, but in a great way! I can’t wait to wear it. 
The music in this is incredible - it really keeps you going; the energy is ‘up there’. I’m blown away by the music production - you’ll be singing along, and you will carry on singing when you leave too. That’s the kind of impact it has. The kind of songs they’ve put in this production, you’re going to walk away humming. 

Who are your favourite characters in the show?
They’re all great - the cast is absolutely fabulous. Every single one of them pulls their weight, but I do have one that, for me, is a bit of a stand-out. The two who play the sisters [Lovely and Bubbly, played by Andy Kumar and Raheem Payne respectively] are hilarious. In their own way, they really bring a whole different energy and element to the story. Just because of the way the characters are, they were my favourites - but I have to say that the entire cast is incredible. 

Are you looking forward to having your very own Bollywood moment on stage?
Absolutely. Having grown up watching so much Bollywood as a family - my mum and my sister are very big on Bollywood - I’ve naturally fallen into watching it and hearing lots of the music. Then, doing a breakfast show, I’ve been surrounded by this music for a very long time. 
To be in a production where I can combine with panto what I’ve seen on the big screen and what I’ve spent so many years listening to - and being a performer in it myself - it’s such an important moment for me. I’ve never had the chance to do that before, even though I’ve always been surrounded by this music and the films. It’s really nice to be able to connect with a character and understand what it feels like to be a bit Bollywood, as opposed to just watching it. It’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait!

Surinderella shows at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July