The Big Picture Company presents Taj
4th October - 30th November 2002

The story tells of how Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the master craftsman of the tomb, Suleman to be cut off on completion of the work, supposedly to ensure he would never create another monument to outshine the Taj but what if there were more to it than that?

TAJ brings to life an opulent period of Islamic history through the eyes of Maryam a terminally ill Asian woman on a pilgrimage to her past. On a visit to the tomb she encounters the ghost of Mumtaz who yearns for her freedom, and begs Maryam to speak to the two men, who are blind to her presence. Thus Maryam meets Shahjahan, the conqueror and man of action who builds a temple of love, yet it is a love that is physical, passionate and cannot conceive of her soul. And Suleman who worships Mumtaz from afar, intuits her spirit yet believes in a love so rarefied that he will not defile it by bringing it into the realm of voiced desire. Past meets present as fantasy, philosophy and drama are woven together to explore the eternal conflict between love and death, action and inaction, belief and conscience, knowledge and understanding.

This latest offering from Britain's talented young Asian company combines text, dance and lush video projection and draws on the rich resources of Moghul art and poetry to create a sensual theatrical experience with an edgy modernity.

Autumn 2002 Tour Schedule

About The Big Picture Company

Set up by Uzma Hameed in December 1996 to provide exciting and high quality theatre for modern audiences, The Big Picture Company is fast becoming known as the UK's most talented young British Asian ensemble. The Company's innovative, multimedia approach draws on the backgrounds of Artistic Director, Uzma Hameed and Artistic Associates, Rachel Harris and Lisa Mead in a range of eastern and western forms of music, dance, literature and theatre. The Company is also known for its challenging and contemporary approach to diversity which emphasises the plurality of all young urban experience: cultural identity is not of interest per se, but as its complex manifestations contribute to our experience of life in modern times. Frequent collaborators in the Company's work include composer, Paul Clark, costume designer Nicholas Immaculate and film-makers, Jo Spencely and Simon Lowe.

Previous Productions include All Things Asian(and Not....) which ran from 1996-1998 and A Dark River (1998-2001).

Uzma Hameed (Writer/Director)

Uzma Hameed studied Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University, and worked as a performer and writer before setting up The Big Picture Company in 1996. Trained in Kathak dance and Hindustani vocal, her work is informed by an understanding of the role of different cultural styles in integrated performance. Based in London, Uzma also undertakes freelance directing projects, most recently working with Kali Theatre and English Touring Theatre.

Top