I have just seen the first preview of 'The Empress' at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Written by Tanika Gupta and directed by Emma Rice, it tells the story of Queen Victoria, Empress of India, and her relationship with Abdul Karim, a gift to the Queen on her Silver Jubilee. The play is set amongst the several threads of the upper class ex pat families, the plight of the Indian Ayahs, who were often abandoned by their employers, the tough life of the regular seam-men with enormous discrimination between the British and the Indian sailors.
The play is packed with incident and colour, and the cultural motives are cleverly woven together through music, dance, costume and events. For example we are witness to the election of the first Indian Member of Parliament.
The intrigues at the court concerning the Queen's new companion are reminiscent to some degree of the film about 'Mrs Brown'. Certainly we are seeing some insights into the Empress and her personality.
I thoroughly enjoyed the play with excellent ensemble work and a high standard of music, singing and dancing. Do go and see it - it only has a short run.
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