Tanika Gupta’s epic play commemorates the lives of people travelling from India to England at the end of the 19th century, bringing tightly woven, contrasting stories to the RSC’s Swan Theatre.

We meet Rani Das, played by Tanya Katyal, who enchants and inspires those around her despite her humble prospects: She is a young Ayah (nanny) to an English family. Having been promised a paid job when she arrives in England, she is told that her services are no longer needed and abandoned in an “unforgiving” land.

Rani is temporarily rescued by her sweetheart, Hari, one of the ‘lascars’ (sailors), played by Aaron Gill, who brings her to a disreputable but friendly boarding house, run by ‘Lascar Sally’ (Nicola Stephenson). Hari and Rani are separated, and Hari is forced to return to sea. However, he has been inspired by Rani to continue learning ‘his letters’ and uses his improved literacy to advocate for better conditions among his colleagues.

Tanika Gupta uses Rani and Hari’s story to commemorate the countless people who travelled to England at this time, as lascars and ayahs. Alongside, she brings in important figures in British Asian history. Simon Rivers portrays Dadabhai Naoroji - the first Indian MP to be elected to the House of Commons - with passion and integrity, showing his ambition and political charisma through his gentle exterior.

We are also introduced to Abdul Karim, played by Raj Bajaj. Karim first appears as “a gift” to Queen Victoria, before developing a unique relationship with the ageing monarch. He is swiftly promoted to become Victoria’s ‘Munshi’ (or ‘teacher’), causing controversy in the royal household. Karim gently influences the Queen to a greater respect for the country she rules as ‘Empress’ (without ever having been to India in person), and the pair share a tender friendship.

Queen Victoria herself is played by the masterful Alexandra Gilbreath, who carries the character from her late 60s to the end of her life with skill and sensitivity. In parallel, we see Rani, who Hari describes as his own “Empress”, begin the play as a teenager before she carves a life for herself, regardless of adversity, and becomes a woman. Gupta elegantly binds these two Empresses’ lives together, showing the deep contrasts between their circumstances and backgrounds, and highlighting the need to tell this powerful story.

Four stars

Reviewed by Jessica Clixby, Wednesday 24 August at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where it plays until 18 November.