Samir Bhamra
Artistic Director & Founder of Phizzical

Sâmir Bhamra (34) is the artistic director and founder of Phizzical, a leading British Asian dance and theatre company; he is a board member of Kadam, a leading South Asian dance organization and an active member of the Sustained Theatre initiative in the East Midlands for whom he recently travelled to South Africa to explore UK collaborations. Bhamra has been part of the festival committee of 'Tongues on Fire' film festival since 2002. In 2008, he programmed the Raj Kapoor film season in London which featured special guest Randhir Kapoor, the CEO of RK Films and son of Raj Kapoor. Bhamra is also part of the programming team at Rich Mix in London.

At Phizzical, he wrote and directed the inaugural production, after pioneering BollyIdol a platform to nurture and develop young people into theatre. He was an artist in residence at Leicester Theatre Trust in 2006 where he had the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia for directors-lab to explore the Pulitzer nominated play A Perfect Ganesh. In 2007, he participated in the Design Direct course run by Tamasha to explore A Yearning, inspired from Lorca’s Yerma.

Trained in ballet, he was a judge for Sony TV’s Boogie Woogie dance competition and has choreographed music videos for Bally Sagoo and Ishq Records, including the smashing single Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha. He choreographed the Golden Girl: Helen tribute show at New Players Theatre for Tongues on Fire 2007 festival.

His directorial credits include: Precious Bazaar (2004-2005), Romeo + Laila (2006), A Perfect Ganesh (2008), The Maids (2009) and Kahani Sapnon Ki (2009). His writing credits include Precious Bazaar, Prince Ram's Leela and Pagal. He produced What You Fancy (2007) and Retailiation (2007). As a production designer, his credits include the short film Swami (dir Steve Nijjar), and for theatre, Precious Bazaar, Romeo+Laila, What You Fancy, and The Maids.

He has been highly commended at Windrush Awards in 2003 and 2004 for his contribution to design.

He is currently devising a Cultural Olympiad project with support from ERDF, The Legacy Trust, Igniting Ambition and Curve in East Midlands. The project, which will launch in 2010, involves six different genres of dance from six different countries.

About Phizzical

Phizzical plays a leading role in developing British Asian dance and theatre internationally. The company has made a significant impact on young people through its acclaimed productions and free learning and participatory initiatives.

For further information visit www.phizzical.com

Profile Updated: 4 November 2009

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