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THE EMPRESS (2017)
A Royal Central School of Speech and Drama production
Written by Tanika Gupta; Directed by Pooja Ghai; Performed by BA (Hons) Acting CDT students, working alongside students from the BA (Hons) Theatre Practice
Role: Actor
It is 1887 and Rani Das and Abdul Karim arrive at London’s Tilbury Docks after a long sea voyage from India. Rani, an Indian ayah, is ruthlessly abandoned by the English family that brought her to London and has to battle for survival. Abdul Karim, who has been sent to the palace as a jubilee gift, has to face increasing scrutiny about the closeness of his relationship, as servant and munshi, to Queen Victoria.
This epic play portrays Victorian England from the unfamiliar perspective of the Indians living in London. The Empress was first performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2013.
Performance dates: 21 - 24 June 2017 at Embassy Theatre, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London
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