It is the Jubilee! Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, 1887. At Tilbury Docks, Rani and Abdul 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 who finds herself enchanted by stories of an India she rules but has never seen. The Empress uncovers remarkable unknown stories of 19th century Britain, the growth of Indian nationalism and the romantic proclivities of one of our most surprising monarchs.

Author Biography

Tanika Gupta has written for theatre, radio, film and television. She was the winner of both the John Whiting Award for her play The Waiting Room and the winner of the 2004 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for "Fragile Land"/"Hobson's Choice" (2004). Tanika is an Honorary Fellow at Rose Bruford College and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2008 for Services to Drama.