Casting for Jamie Lloyd’s production of Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj, playing at the Bush Theatre from the 7th April, has been confirmed.
This European production of the play, directed by renowned director Jamie Lloyd will star Danny Ashok as Humayun and Darren Kuppan as Babur.
As the first production to open the newly renovated Bush Theatre, Guards at the Taj takes the legend of the Taj Mahal and helps audiences to explore questions about art, privilege and duty.
It’s 1648. Agra, India. Imperial guards and best mates 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.
Now, as the building nears completion and the first light catches on the pure white domes behind them, the temptation to steal a glance at the most beautiful monument the world has ever seen grows stronger. But beauty has a price and Humayun and Babur are about to learn its true cost.
The play originally premiered at the Atlantic Theater in New York to great acclaim in 2015 and has won the Obie Award for Best New American Play and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play.
As well as being directed by Jamie Lloyd, the creative team also includes designs by Soutra Gilmour, lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by George Dennis.
The production marks a return to the Bush Theatre for Danny Ashok, whose previous appearances at the theatre include Disgraced and Zaida and Aadam. His other stage credits include The Djinns of Eidgah (Royal Court), Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 (Theatre Royal Bath) and Blood and Gifts (National Theatre).
Darren Kuppan was most recently seen on stage in The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe). His other credits include Cymbeline (Shakespeare’s Globe), as Maneer Khan in East Is East (West End/ UK Tour), An August Bank Holiday Lark (Northern Broadsides)and England Street (Oxford Playhouse).
Jamie Lloyd has directed numerous productions in the West End including most recently Doctor Faustus, The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Macbeth, The Hothouse, Richard III and The Pride.
Guards at the Taj will play at the Bush Theatre from the 7th April until the 20th May. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/guards-at-the-taj/.