Carmen becomes Karmen as opera goes live in city centre

The one-hour event, to be staged in City Park and broadcast on BBC Three, will re-tell the story of Bizet’s Carmen in a contemporary Bollywood style.

Bollywood Live will follow the story of Bradford girl Karmen, a wannabe dancer obsessed with movie stardom. When an Indian film crew comes to the city to record sequences for their new movie version of the opera Carmen she thinks her time has come.

The show will feature an original score by Kuljit Bhamra and a selection of pop songs, Bollywood movie classics and Bhangra 
hits.

Bhamra has worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the West End musical Bombay Dreams and as the Indian music consultant for the stage adaptation of The Far Pavilions.

Bollywood Live aims to build on BBC Three’s successful live events which included Frankenstein’s Wedding, shot at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, and will air on Sunday, June 9

Zai Bennett, controller of BBC Three, said: “BBC Three has a great track record of producing spectacular live events such as Frankenstein’s Wedding and Manchester Passion.

“We are delighted to be able to bring the excitement and glamour of Bollywood in this unique way to our viewers.”

Jan Younghusband, commissioning editor BBC Music and Events, said: “The combination of Bizet’s classic story re-imagined with the flamboyancy of new Bollywood music commissions and pop songs is an example of how the BBC brings music alive through new musical commissions and innovative exploration of classic work.”

Peter Salmon, head of BBC North, said: “Bollywood Live continues our commitment to engage with audiences across the region through big, innovative events. Following the success of the award-winning Frankenstein’s Wedding in Leeds and The Preston Passion, this stylish, contemporary retelling of a classic story should captivate and entertain not only the people of Bradford but audiences across the UK.”

David Wilson, director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said: “City Park will make the perfect set for this live extravaganza.”

The cast will be made up of international and national stars, dancers, musicians, with involvement from the local Bradford community, and audience participation. Full details of the cast will be released at a later date,