It was wonderful to sit in the excited auditorium last Friday to watch the incredible production of Lions and Tigers, at QE boys, directed by our wonderful teacher Gavin. As the audience lost themselves in this absorbing story, you could feel the pride and conviction with which the talented cast spoke their lines. Some truly stellar performances, and a real ensemble effort. We also loved the live music and samosas in the interval...! A huge well done to all involved - a credit to you all. Read what Gavin had to say about the play below. Meanwhile, for our drama students at QE - Gavin's straight onto preparing the Shakespeare production - sign up for the auditions now!
Our play, Tanika Gupta’s Lions and
Tigers, is based on the true story of the
playwright’s great-uncle, Bengali freedom
fighter Dinesh Gupta. It was first staged in
2017, coinciding with the 70th anniversary
of the independence of India.
Starting in 1927, 20 years before the Indian
Independence Act that brought an end to
British rule in the Indian sub-continent, the
play is a dramatically authentic tale with great
contemporary relevance. Upon reading it,
I was so moved that I felt it was a story we
had to tell here at QE.
Lions and Tigers is set against the backdrop
of negotiations between the leaders of the
Indian National Congress, with Dinesh its
central character.
The future Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru,
wavers between his respect for Gandhi’s non-
violence and his admiration for the youthful
fervour of the militant Bengali nationalist,
Subhas Chandra Bose.
Tanika Gupta draws details from her
grandfather’s 500-page handwritten journal
about Dinesh, who was his younger brother
– and from the 92 letters written by her
great-uncle himself from his prison cell.
The play’s author, Tanika Gupta, has described
the piece as her most personal play yet, taking
her some 20 years to write. Lions and Tigers
certainly offers new insights into the battles
between the ‘British lions’ and the ‘Bengal
tigers’.
Our talented cast of actors drawn from
Years 8 to 10 have worked collaboratively
on this production, working sensitively with
some difficult subject material. My thanks
to them all, and to the musicians of the
Indian Ensemble.
I hope you enjoy today’s performance.
Gavin Molloy
Director
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