Rehearsal images are released today for the European premiere of Guards at the Taj, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph and directed by Jamie Lloyd. Danny Ashok (Disgraced, Bush Theatre;Capital, BBC) will play Humayun and Darren Kuppan (East is East, West End/ UK Tour) will play Babur.

This darkly comic play runs at the newly revitalised Bush Theatre, following its major £4.3m capital project. Guards at the Taj takes an enduring legend about the Taj Mahal and prompts audiences to explore questions about art, privilege and duty. The play premiered at the Atlantic Theater in New York to great acclaim in 2015 and is the recipient of both the Obie Award for Best New American Play and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play.

“If we hadn’t done our jobs tonight, we’d be hanging by our necks in the royal courtyard getting our eyes pecked out by the royal crows. So excuse me if I don’t wallow in some misbegotten guilt all night. Was it fucked up? Yes, it was. But I don’t have to feel terrible about it.”

It’s 1648. Agra, India. Imperial guards Humayun and Babur keep watch as the final touches are put to the mighty Taj Mahal behind them. The emperor has decreed that no one, except the masons, labourers and slaves who exist within those walls, shall turn to look at the building until it is complete.

7 Apr – 20 May
GUARDS AT THE TAJ
A Bush Theatre production
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Jamie Lloyd
Designed by Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design by Richard Howell
Sound Design and Music composed by George Dennis

Press night: 12 Apr, 7pm
Captioned: 27 Apr, 7.30pm
Audio described: 6 May, 2.30pm

Ticket prices
Count Me In: £10 (Theatre)

Adult: From £20 (Theatre) and £10 (Studio)

Count Me In tickets are just £10 and are available for performances in the Theatre. These are unreserved tickets which will be allocated to a seat on the day of performance. Audience members might not be sitting next to the people they booked with but will be guaranteed a seat.

Concessions: Bush Locals, Senior Citizens, Disabled and Unemployed patrons, and Bush Connect (Students and U26) members will be eligible for concession prices.

Booking

Phone  020 8743 5050

In person   Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LJ

Online  bushtheatre.co.uk