The Empress

by Tanika Gupta

Overview

It is the Jubilee! Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, 1887. At Tilbury Docks, Rani and Abdul step ashore after the long voyage from India. One has to battle a society who deems her a second class citizen, the other forges an astonishing entanglement with the ageing Queen who finds herself enchanted by stories of an India she rules but has never seen.

The Empress uncovers remarkable unknown stories of 19th century Britain, the growth of Indian nationalism and the romantic proclivities of one of our most surprising monarchs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350278974
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/27/2022
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	1.11(w) x 1.11(h) x 1.11(d)

About the Author

Tanika Gupta has written for theatre, radio, film and television. She was the winner of both the John Whiting Award for her play The Waiting Room and the winner of the 2004 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for "Fragile Land"/"Hobson's Choice" (2004). Tanika is an Honorary Fellow at Rose Bruford College and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2008 for Services to Drama.

Table of Contents

Chronology

COMMENTARY

PLAYWRIGHT

CONTEXT
1. Late-19th-century imperial context
2. Context within which the play was written and rehearsed in 2012/13
3. RSC's commissioning strategy for new plays

THEMES
1. Class
2. Race
3. Gender
4. Religion
5. British Empire

CHARACTERS (HISTORICAL & FICTIONAL) & CHARACTERISATION

DIALOGUE

DRAMATIC DEVICES
1. RSC production: sets, costumes, role of instrumental music and song
2. Use of short scenes to create a visual and textual mosaic

RESPONSE
Audience and press response

PLAY TEXT

FURTHER READING AND VIEWING

Editorial Reviews

Gupta's play records the rage felt at the injustices of imperial domination.” —Guardian

“The epic jourbaney of the five characters in The Empress is not only magical and intoxicating, but historically enlightening.” —Birmingham Mail

From the Publisher