Guards at the Taj : Orange Tree, Richmond

This is a short two-hander, based on a legend not known fact, about two men employed in the imperial guard who are stationed outside the Taj Mahal. It has Just been completed and will be unveiled at daybreak. No one is allowed to look at the building, and the Emperor has decreed it is and will remain the most beautiful building in the world. The older guard is quite sober but the younger is impetuous, sneaks looks at the building and keeps chatting. It then transpires that to ensure those involved with the building can never emulate their achievement, 20,000 men will have their hands chopped off. The next scene takes place after this event, carried out by our two guards, whose reward is to be guarding the Emperor’s harem, something the younger one had always fancied. But his mental health declines very quickly and he begins to act very rashly. The older one dobs him in for a minor transgression to get him into prison and away from the building for a few days, but that all goes wrong and he has his hands chopped off instead.

Now this wasn’t as bad as it sounds and was quite funny in places! Nevertheless I didn’t think it really warranted the glowing reviews I read, a couple being 5*. But it was very well acted and the relationship between the two men very well drawn, and the consequences of their actions on the terrible orders from a man with absolute power graphically and, poignantly portrayed. I think having seen Coriolanus the day before I might have had a bit too much violence this week though. Obviously there was nothing horrific shown in this small theatre where the whole audience is up close and personal.