The story of how Felicity Kendal and her family toured India performing Shakespeare is to be brought to the stage nearly half a century after it became a Merchant Ivory film.
The new play, Baba Shakespeare, is a version of the 1965 movie, Shakespeare Wallah. It has been adapted and directed by former journalist Emmeline Winterbotham, 53, with one of London’s biggest amateur groups, The Tower Theatre Company. Indian dancers, puppeteers and nearly 30 actors have been brought together for the tale of a young English actress, a rich Indian playboy and a Bollywood star.
Shobna Gulati, who plays Sunita in Coronation Street, has choreographed the dance scenes. The production, which opens at the Arcola Tent in Dalston tomorrow, is part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages scheme which has asked amateur groups to present Shakespeare as part of the Cultural Olympiad. Mrs Winterbotham said: “I loved the film. But I also used to live in India and was aware they have a particular love for Shakespeare.”
A fundraiser will follow the performance on April 26 and the show runs until May 3.
