On the boat from India, Rani, an ayah (nursemaid) befriends a lascar (sailor), an Indian politician and a royal servant destined to serve the Queen. Full of hopes and dreams of what lies ahead, they each embark on an extraordinary journey.

Will their expectations come true or will they have to forge a different path in their new country?

Spanning 13 years over the ‘Golden Era’ of Empire, this story blends the experiences of Indian ayahs and lascars who worked on the ships carrying trade goods, alongside the first Indian politician to be elected as a Member of Parliament. This epic story reveals how socially diverse the Asian presence was in nineteenth century Britain.

Directed by Pooja Ghai, Artistic Director of Tamasha, Tanika Gupta’s The Empress took audiences from the rugged gangways of Tilbury docks to the grandeur of Queen Victoria’s Palace, whilst unveiling the long and embedded culture of British Asian history.

The Empress played at the Swan Theatre from July to November 2023,  transferring to London’s Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 4 to 28 October.

2023 CAST & CREATIVES

The Plot

Tilbury Docks

Sixteen year old Rani Das is travelling to England on a boat from India, looking after the children of an English family on the voyage. Her bright and caring personality is noticed and admired by a young lascar - Hari and by fellow travelers Abdul Karim and Dadabhai Naoroji. When they step off the boat at Tilbury docks Rani is cruelly dismissed by her employers. Distraught, she seeks comfort with Hari and takes shelter from the streets of London with him in a boarding house run by Lascar Sally. Early next morning, Rani leaves Lascar Sally’s and Hari desperately searches for her, to no avail. Hari is forced to fulfil his contract with the clan line and reluctantly sets sail to work on trade ships transporting goods across the Empire. 

Windsor Castle

Interspersed with Rani's story, the play follows the relationship between Abdul Karim and Queen Victoria. When Abdul steps off the boat he is destined to serve the Queen as a breakfast waiter, but an unusual friendship develops between the pair. Abdul becomes Victoria’s closest confidante and she gradually elevates his position to that of Munshi (teacher). This growing friendship is closely scrutinised by a horrified Lady Sarah and members of the Queen's Court. 

Lord Oakham's House

Destitute and alone, Rani heads to the docks to try and beg passage back to India where she meets the eccentric and highly experienced ayah – Firoza. Following Firoza’s advice, Rani touts her domestic servant's wares and eventually gets the attention of a housekeeper – Georgina, who employs her as an ayah for Lord and Lady Oakham. At first, Rani looks as if she has landed on her feet, until she meets Lord Oakham who takes advantage of her. Rani falls pregnant with Lord Oakham’s child and is unceremoniously thrown out of the house – destitute and alone on the streets of London once more. Fortunately, Firoza and Lascar Sally find her and give her and her baby shelter.

Jewry Street

Aldgate, Home for Ayahs, 1891. While boarding in the home for ayahs Rani meets Dadabhai Naoroji again. Far from the Rani he first met on the ship, now she has a child - Asha, and has educated herself. She tells Dadabhai that she wants to support his campaign to be elected to parliament. Dadabhai employs Rani as his assistant and the two become as close as father and daughter. In 1892 Dadabhai is elected to be the first Indian member of Parliament representing the constituency of Finsbury.

Hari

Never forgetting Rani, Hari learns to read and write and writes to the only address he has for her, Lascar Sally's. We see Hari’s journey across the globe, working on the ships which carry cargo between the British colonies. He is badly treated by the English Captains and becomes a leader of the disabused lascars. Travelling across the globe via friends and allies will Hari's letters ever reach Rani?

Tilbury Docks

A boat stands at Tilbury Docks ready to depart London for India but who will board and who will stay?