Based on M. M. Kaye's International Best-selling Novel London's West-End sees the launch of Indo-British epic love story 'The Far Pavilions'. The £4 million musical, set in India, at the height of the British Raj, is an awe-inspiring tale of lost identity, divided loyalty and forbidden love between a British Officer and an Indian Princess. Described by critics as a '"Gone With The Wind" of the North West Frontier', M. M. Kaye's novel topped the New York Times Bestseller List on publication 25 years ago, selling over 15 million copies in 16 languages.

Headlining the cast will be Gayatri Iyer as Princess Anjuli and Hadley Fraser as Lieutenant Ashton (Ash) Pelham-Martyn. Gayatri, is an "Indian nightingale' from Mumbai's film industry whose sensational voice was most recently heard in the film Bride and Prejudice, where she was the playback singer for Aishwarya Rai in both the Hindi and English versions of the film. Hadley is already a star in the eyes of his growing number of fans and the role of 'Ash' follows his stunning West End debut as 'Marius' in Les Miserables.

Celebrated Indian actor Kabir Bedi, with 140 films to his name including Octopussy and the soon to be released Taj Mahal - The Eternal Love Story, creates the role of Kahn Sahib, thespian and star of Goodness Gracious Me Kulvinder Ghir plays the Rana of Bhitor and sultry actress Sophiya Haque of Bombay Dreams fame, is the courtesan who becomes queen, the Janoo Rani.

Set in the turbulent times between the Sepoy Uprisings of 1857 and the Second Afghan War, The Far Pavilions charts the journey of an orphan born of British parents but raised by his Hindu nurse Sita and his Muslim mentor Khan Sahib. His true identity is defined by an 'impossible' love for Princess Anjuli, his childhood friend.

In speaking about the launch of The Far Pavilions musical, the India born producer of the musical, Michael E. Ward commented: "The Far Pavilions is an emotional roller-coaster, a truly gripping story with fabulous music, stunning choreography and spectacle to match. The theme of identity touches everyone, since everyone asks "Where Do I Belong?". The enormous passion and commitment of so much international talent, onstage and backstage, is a fitting tribute to the memory of M. M. Kaye - and this is her greatest achievement - to continue to inspire us all."

ABOUT THE CAST

Kabir Bedi will play 'Kahn Sahib', David Burt 'Harkness', Hadley Fraser 'Ash', Kulvinder Ghir 'Rana of Bhitor', Simon Gleeson 'Walter', Sophiya Haque 'Janoo Rani', Gayatri Iyer 'Anjuli', Dianne Pilkington 'Belinda' and David Savile 'Sir Louis Cavagnari'. Fiona Wade will play 'Anjuli' at certain performances. The cast also includes Marina Abdeen, Ralph Birtwell, Shirani Bolle, Hannah Chick, Dan de Cruz, Christopher Dickens, Meryl Fernandes, Tomos Griffiths, Nick Ferranti, Clare Foster, Dean Hussain, Irvine Iqbal, Caroline Keiff, Shaheen Khan, Asha Kingsley, Sunil Pramanik, Rick Savery, Robert Scotcher, Stewart Scudamore, Nikki Shaw, John Trakos, Jez Unwin and Graham Vick.

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