With the world première of David Edgar’s Here in America in rehearsals, Orange Tree Theatre today announces the full cast and creative team for Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj in association with the JMK Trust.
The JMK Award, founded in memory of director James Menzies-Kitchin, each year provides one young director the opportunity to stage their own production of a classic or contemporary text at the Orange Tree Theatre. This year’s winner Adam Karim directs Usaamah Ibraheem Hussain as Babur and Maanuv Thiara as Humayun in this production exploring friendship and betrayal between two Imperial Guards at the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Also announced today is the creative team – joint JMK Award Winners director Adam Karim and designer Roisin Jenner are joined by Lighting designer Elliot Griggs, Composer Xana, Sound designer Niraj Chag and Casting Director Matilda James CDG.
Agra, India, 1648. The sun rises on the final day of construction of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument the world has ever seen. Imperial Guards and best friends Babur and Humayun must once again follow the Emperor’s orders, and resist the temptation to steal a glimpse.
But as morning’s first light touches the pure white domes, the urge is too strong, and Babur and Humayun are about to discover that beauty comes at a terrible price.
This is an audacious, funny and ever-surprising play about friendship, betrayal and power.
Guards at the Taj was 2016 Obie winner for Best New American Play and a 2016 Lucille Lortel Winner for Best Play.
Guards at the Taj opens at Orange Tree Theatre on 30 October, with previews from 26 October and runs until 16 November.
