Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, 1887.
At East London's Tilbury Docks, Rani Das and Abdul Karim, 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 Victoria who finds herself enchanted by stories of
an India over which she rules, but has never seen.
Through narrative, music and song, The Empress blends the true story
of Queen Victoria's controversial relationship with her Indian servant
and 'Munshi' (teacher), Abdul Karim, with the experiences of Indian
ayahs who came to Britain during the 19th century. With private romance
being mapped onto world history, the action cuts between the ship and
different royal residences, offering bright contrasts as well as
surprising affinities. In doing so, the play uncovers remarkable unknown
stories of 19th-century Britain and charts the growth of Indian
nationalism and the romantic proclivities of one of Britain's most
surprising monarchs.
The Empress, which premiered at Stratford-upon-Avon's RSC in 2013, is
published here as a Methuen Drama Student Edition with commentary and
notes by Professor Jane Garnett, Wadham College, University of Oxford,
UK.
