Princess Suffragette a new play by Subika Anwar-Khan
A contemporary (re)telling of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh’s journey, from her aristocratic upbringing as the daughter of an exiled Maharajah, to her political awakening as the first British-Asian Suffragette.
Raised within the British aristocracy to be the perfect Princess, Sophia Duleep Singh has a charmed childhood, tinged with tragedy. When she finally visits her father’s former Indian Kingdom as a young woman, she gains a new awareness of her past and circumstances, questions her identity and shifts her energy towards much worthier causes, campaigning both against British Imperialism and for women’s Suffrage.
Princess Suffragette is an inventive new play about identity, risk and heart, that twists our notions of feminism and explores defining moments of British and Indian history, through the eyes of an extraordinary woman at the centre of it all. This true story is brought to life by versatile performers, bold imagery, and an eclectic soundtrack of modern Asian-fusion music.
The play is premiering in 2017, to honour roughly 100 years since the Suffragette movement and the 70th anniversary of both India and Pakistan’s independence.
‘London Grey & Green Theatre Company will go far’ – Female Arts
Subika Anwar-Khan is a playwright and actor, currently an Associate Artist at Curve Theatre, Leicester. Her first full-length play Stateless, was commissioned by Kali Theatre (Tristan Bates, 2016). She has developed new scripts with companies including The Royal Court, Nottingham Playhouse, The Roundhouse, Royal and Derngate, Tamasha Theatre and The Birmingham Rep, and attended playwriting courses with Hightide and Soho Theatre. She is developing a one-woman show with Camden People’s Theatre and Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre.
‘A remarkably mature play […] a pitch perfect script’ – 4 stars – The Independent on Stateless
Charlie Ely has recently directed new writing at venues including Park Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, The Rosemary Branch and The Hen & Chickens. As Associate Director of Peaceful Lion Productions, which creates high-quality theatre for family audiences, she most recently directed Orion and the Dark (UK Tour 2016). She has an MA in Theatre Studies (RCSSD) and her training includes selection for aweek-long workshop with Katie Mitchell at the Young Vic.
‘Gutsy visuals and strong performances’ – The Stage on A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light
London Grey & Green is a young theatre company dedicated to producing intelligent and provocative new writing with at least 50% female representation. Led by Artistic Director Charlie Ely, they have staged three successful productions independently: A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light, a new play by Ben Maier, (ZOO Southside, Edinburgh & Rosemary Branch, London) and two collections of short plays: City Shorts (Rosemary Branch) and City Slices & Country Crumbs (Hen & Chickens). The company has presented other work at Secret Garden Party (2013) and The Big Noise Festival (2014).
The creative team also includes sound designer and electronic artist Suren Seneviratne aka My Panda Shall Fly. Suren recently released his first album Too, following a number of popular EPs. He has worked across multidisciplinary media including a hip-hop dance programme at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, theatre at Leicester Curve and Roundhouse, London and a virtual reality game for Google.
Listings Information
Dates: 22 – 26 February 2017
Times: 9.30pm (1 hour) and 4.45pm matinee on 25 FebTickets: £12
Venue: VAULT Festival 2017, The Vaults, Leake Street, London, SE1 7NN.
Venue Box Office: 07598 676 202
Online: www.vaultfestival.com/princess-suffragette
www.greyandgreentheatre.co.uk | www.facebook.com/LondonGreyAndGreen | @GreyGreenTheatr