SHANGRI-LA REVIEW | FINBOROUGH THEATRE
What's it about: 
  • This play is about Tibet, the clash of tourism and traditions, and the power of money. 
  • Bunny, a Nashi woman (from an indigenous group in the lower Himalayas) works as a tour guide for wealthy Western clients, living in the town of "Shangri-La" (renamed from its original/unmemorable Chinese name to boost tourism). This set the tone of the entire plot. 
  • The play shows us the challenges of protecting traditional customs (sacred burial ceremonies and witchcraft) from the lust of big money for a tourist's "enlightening moment", local corruption and contrived behaviour for tourist tips.
  • Bunny's interaction with two tourists, firstly an Irish National Geographic photographer, and later a wealthy American woman, portrays the uneasy reality of tourism in Tibet while highlighting the unsavory stakeholders involved. 

Why go?
Shangri-La is original, honest and disturbingly accurate, and anyone who has been on a tour group will know the struggles the local guides have with their "friends from overseas" (AKA a lottery of crazy, mean, lonely and kind). Along the way you learn about Tibetan customs (shaman rituals, open burials) and the domination of China's "unification" of Tibet. In 70 minutes, you're never bored. 

As a side note, The Young Vic/Trafalgar Studios' excellent production of Golem had a comical line, "Travelling Through Tibet Put My Life in Perspective", mocking the perennial flood of western women searching for "eat, pray, love" idealism - Shangri-La's clever plot takes us repeatedly to the heights of the Himalayas to the lows of the tourist tantrums and capitalism, refreshingly shown from a native's perspective. 

Who to take: This is such a good production that anyone, and everyone, will enjoy it. 

WHERE
Location: 118 Finborough Rd, London SW10 9ED
Closest tube: Earls Court (District/Piccadilly) and West Brompton (Southern Rail/Overground)
Pre/Post show drink: The Finborough has an excellent bar downstairs - grab your beverage in a plastic cup and take it upstairs. 
WHEN
12 July – 6 August 2016
Running times/intervals: 70 mins straight through
Performance dates and matinees: 
Tuesday to Saturday Evenings: 7.30pm.
Saturday and Sunday and Matinees: 3.00pm.
Time you'll finish: 8:40pm or 4:10pm

HOW
Ticket prices:  £18, £16 concession.   
Day or cheap tickets? Yes, Tuesday Evenings £16 all seats (vs £18 standard price usually). 
Book: Call the box office 08448471652

WHO
Who's in it? 
Andrew Koji, Julia Sandiford, Kevin Shen, Rosie Thomson

Director: Charlotte Westenra.​