Rifco Theatre Company is a touring theatre company based in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, which focuses on bringing British South Asian stories to the stage, and audiences from the community into theatres. The company was founded in 1999 by director and writer Pravesh Kumar, the current artistic director, and is based in Watford Palace Theatre.
Company history Rifco was founded in 1999 when Kumar devised and acted in comedy sketch show Airport 2000: Asians in Transit, alongside Ajay Chhabra, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti and Harvey Virdi. It initially played three sell out shows at Riverside Studios, and Kumar describes this as 'the accidental birth of Rifco'.
Since its inception, Rifco have toured nineteen original productions across the UK, with its twentieth touring in the Autumn of 2025.
Since 2013, Rifco have created a number of web series which broadcast across their social media. These range from sketch comedies to documentary shorts.
In 2015, Rifco launched their Associates programme which aims to nurture and uplift emerging British South Asian creatives.
In 2018, Ameet Chana was appointed Associate Director of the company.
Notable actors who have worked with Rifco include Shabana Azmi, Divya Seth Shah, Tez Ilyas, Navin Kundra, Harvey Virdi and Divian Ladwa.
Rifco is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.
Past productions +YearTitleWriterDirectorNotesRef.1999Airport 2000 - Asians In Transit Ajay Chhabra, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Pravesh Kumar and Harvey VirdiCollaborative2000 2003Bollywood 2000 - Yet Another Love StoryPravesh KumarPravesh Kumar2005The Deranged MarriagePravesh Kumar2006Meri ChristmasHarvey Virdi2007There's Something About SimmyPravesh KumarCo-produced with Theatre Royal Stratford East2009Where's My Desi Soulmate?Sonia Likhari, Harvey Virdi2011Britain's Got BhangraPravesh Kumar (book), Dougal Irvine (lyrics), Sumeet Chopra (composer)Co-produced with Watford Palace Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre2013Break The FloorboardsYasmeen KhanCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre2014Happy Birthday SunitaHarvey VirdiCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre, in association with Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton2015The Deranged Marriage (revival)Pravesh KumarCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre2016Laila The MusicalPravesh Kumar (book), Dougal Irvine (lyrics), Sumeet Chopra (composer)Co-produced with Watford Palace Theatre and Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch2017Miss Meena and the Masala QueensHarvey VirdiCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre, in association with Warwick Arts CentrePyar ActuallySukh Ojla2018Dishoom!Gurpreet Kaur BhattiCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre2019Mushy: Lyrically SpeakingPravesh Kumar (book), Raxstar (lyrics), Niraj Chag (composer)Ameet Chana2022Abigail's PartyMike LeighPravesh KumarCo-produced with Watford Palace TheatreGlitterballYasmin WildeCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre2023Happy Birthday Sunita (revival)Harvey VirdiCo-produced with Watford Palace Theatre2024Frankie Goes To BollywoodPravesh Kumar (book), Niraj Chag (songs and music), Tasha Taylor-Johnson (songs and lyrics)Co-produced with Watford Palace Theatre and HOME ManchesterPali and Jay's Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ RoadshowViraj JunejaAmeet Chana2025SurinderellaPravesh KumarCo-produced with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, in association with Imagine Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre
Digital shows
Mummy Ji Presents (2012) Young Asian Comedy Workshop (2016) The Desi Lockdown (2020) Leave The Plastic On (2021, 2 series) GenerAsians - The Ugandan Expulsion (2022)
Awards +YearAwardNominated workCategoryResultRef.2011OffieBritain's Got BhangraPeople's Favourite Musical Won2022GlitterballMost Promising Playwright Nominated2024Frankie Goes To BollywoodCostume Design NominatedLighting Design Nominated2013Asian Media AwardsBreak The FloorboardsBest Live EventWon2015Happy Birthday SunitaBest Stage Production Nominated2016Laila The MusicalBest Stage Production Nominated2017Miss Meena and the Masala QueensBest Stage Production Nominated2024Frankie Goes To BollywoodOutstanding Stage Performance (Laila Zaidi) Nominated Best Stage Production Nominated Pali and Jay's Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ RoadshowBest Live Event Nominated References