Now that Rifco Arts has settled into Watford Palace Theatre, it’s time to bring in the new, starting with a remixed, remastered and revamped version of their smash-hit musical Britain’s Got Bhangra. The fast-paced, all-singing production won People’s Favourite Musical at the Offies and was nominated for Best Musical Production at the TMA Awards last year.

So what’s different this time around?

The musical returns with much of the original cast, including Shin of British Asian bhangra band DCS, Rakesh Boury, Rina Fatania and Davina Ferera but there are some new cast members as well including Jason Denton, Michael Taibi and Natasha Jayetileke.

Director Pravesh Kumar says that audience development has played a real part in reshaping the show.

“We held workshops with local people acting as arts ambassadors to discuss what we do and find out what they want,” says Pravesh.

“We also asked the Muslim community what could we do, how could we do it better? It was an honest conversation and it’s rare that a theatre would want to do that but at Watford Palace we have a real partnership. We’re involved in all the artistic conversations, including participation work with young people and community projects.”

From these conversations, Rifco has started work on another production Break Da Floorboards, which will come to the Palace stage next year.

“It comes straight from the Muslim community,” says Pravesh. “What they were saying was – ’we’re sick to death of being terrorists why can’t we be normal and have a story about us?’ So my assistant choreographer on Britain’s Got Bhangra, Keeza Farhan, is developing a piece that pulls together Bollywood, bhangra and is a fusion of dance and drama, film and digital work. We’re also running new writing schemes and there are opportunities if anyone’s into directing, stage management or development in partnership with Watford Palace.”

The benefits of being in-house are many, Pravesh tells me.

“I’m sitting here and I’m not at all stressed which is not normal – it’s the first time in 12 years,” he admits. “Everything is in one building. My whole administrative team is here, the set-build is close by and I can talk to Brigid [artistic director Brigid Larmour] for support. To have everybody in one place is a joy.”

That spirit of excitement will soon transfer itself onto the stage as we follow the rise of British Bhangra from the sequin clad ’80s through to the RnB, hip hop and dubstep fusion of today’s charts with artists such as Harlesden singer-songwriter Jay Sean making big waves in America. It covers milestones of history from the Silver Jubilee to Diana’s marriage and beyond, while following the fortunes of the British Asian music scene.

“Most of my scripts focus on real people and Britain’s Got Bhangra came from a conversation I had with a bhangra artist in the 1980s,” says Pravesh. “Everything in it has happened, it’s just bits of reality pulled together.”

With all the songs from the hit score by Sumeet Chopra, Britain’s Got Bhangra has been redesigned by Keith Khan and choreographed by Andy Kumar.

“The show has really evolved. When it was first shown we were still making it and watching it I could see the huge improvements I needed to make. Now I’ve tightened the script and there’s a new set and lighting design, new costumes, songs and a stronger musical theatre cast.”

<>Britain’s Got Bhangra is at Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford from September 16-24, Tuesday-Saturday at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday, September 24 at 2.30pm; 01923 225671.