The Empress London Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (2)
See it if you enjoy a thought-provoking piece that is a powerful voice challenging discrimination and diversity that are still valid today.
Don't see it if you cannot sit through longer plot lines with extended monologues and expositional scenes, or prefer something less tonally heavy. Read more
See it if you want an epic drama which tells two stories side-by-side, that of Queen Victoria & Abdul Karim and also the Indian experience in the UK
Don't see it if you want a strictly accurate timeline, some characters are presented at not totally precise times (the programme acknowledges this) Read more
Critic Reviews (5)
“There’s a lot of history to be found in ‘The Empress’ three-hour running time. Perhaps some scenes could be tightened and the ending, which ends a bit abruptly with Abdul’s dismissal, could leave us with some hope for Asha’s future. And the future of other young Indians on British soil.”
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“ ‘The Empress’ is a useful and engaging probe into parts of British history some factions would rather see left alone. If only it were bolder and pacier.”
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“The biggest problem with ‘The Empress’ is that there are a lot of big figures in it, but not all of them feel as fleshed out as Rani and Victoria...Still, Ghai‘s decision to treat ‘The Empress’ like a straight historical drama is probably the right one – it’s a pacy, engrossing show, and if it might have worked even better as a six-part BBC drama, then that’s very much a recommendation.”
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“This part of British Asian history is extremely important and should certainly be taught in schools, but for drama to thrive, it needs more dynamism and a greater emotional connection.”
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“Whilst there are some pacing issues in the play, this is still a hugely successful piece. Witty and illuminating it explores a topic I have seldom seen explored in the theatre...There is plenty of compelling material and a wonderful cast, ‘The Empress’ tells that deserve to be told. Yet, could and should be explored further for a deeper understanding of the experience of Indian people in the era of empire.”
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