The Bollywood thrills

Let's hear it for the healing power of the dance! For if you fall in step with Strictly Dandia's feelgood flow, you'll believe that all we need to rid the world of religious ructions is to hit the rhythm sticks on the dancefloor.

And why not. Cheekily lifting their plot from Strictly Ballroom, authors Sudha Bhuchar and Kristine Landon-Smith relocate us to a north London Diwali celebration - Cricklewood meets Bollywood - where a bunch of young Hindu Gujaratis are ready to strut their stuff in a bid to be crowned festival king and queen.

It's a closed world where outsiders must not tread. Hot favourite Preethi (Fiona Wade) knows that - her mum's the local bigshot after all - but she's made the mistake of falling for the hunky charms of Raza. He's got the moves, he's got the look, but he's got one fatal flaw - he's a Muslim.

In other hands (and feet), this Asian spin on Romeo And Juliet would be the stuff of tragedy. But Tamasha Theatre Company's production is an unashamedly upbeat skim over the surface of divisions that run deep.

Shot through with bursts of show-stopping dance and sharp one-liners, it's a refreshing and revealing take on a world whose attitudes can seem impenetrable to non-believers.

Where it falls down is in the lead performances (Paul Tilley as Raza is no Paul Mercurio) which fail to match the excellent supporting characters. Beef those up and Strictly Dandia could be a big Bollywood hit.

7.30pm, Sat mats 2.30pm, £9 to £20. Tel: 08700 500 511. Tube: Hammersmith