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Kanpur: 1857

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“What a strange way to hold power?” So says the Indian rebel strapped to a cannon and awaiting execution at the hands of the English officer before him. Colonial forces have quelled the 1857 Indian uprising, and now all that is left is the legend that follows. How that turns out, however, depends on who is telling the story. 

 

As Niall Moorjani’s shackled upstart waxes forth on the circumstances behind their own personal rebellion, this is taken to farcical degree when Jonathan Oldfield’s pompous officer from the 78th Highlanders steps out of the audience. He then proceeds to effectively direct his prisoner to tell the story he wants to hear and denounce his cause enough to save his life. 

 

What follows as the two adversaries spar in Moorjani and Oldfield’s co-production of Moorjani’s play is a back and forth that is part history lesson, part philosophical debate, and part plea for acceptance in the face of military rule. 

 

The officer’s regiment is significant here, as he mentions the battle of Culloden and the Highland clearances in relation to British occupation of India and the events of Kanpur. Parallels with today hardly need spelled out. 

 

Moorjani presents the prisoner as a beatific figure in the face of Oldfield’s blood and soil Brit. Accompanied by tabla player Sodhi, Moorjani’s play looks to hidden history to tell a tale as relevant to events today as they were two centuries ago. 


The List, August 2025

 

Pleasance Courtyard 3.40pm until 24 August.

 

ends 

 

 

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