Indian Ink
Tom Stoppard
Adapted from his radio play 'In the Native State', this drama uses dual timelines to explore the relationship between Britain and India. In 1930, an English poet, Flora Crewe, travels to India and develops a complex bond with an Indian painter. Decades later, Flora’s sister is visited by a biographer attempting to uncover the truth behind Flora’s time in the East. The play examines the legacy of colonialism, the nature of artistic representation, and the gaps in historical record. It is a lyrical, atmospheric piece that captures the heat and complexity of the Anglo-Indian encounter with great sensitivity.
Flora Crewe: A free-spirited, terminally ill English poet who travels to India for her health, seeking authentic experiences and forming a deep connection with a local artist. Nirad Das: An Indian painter caught between his admiration for Western art and his burgeoning sense of national identity as he paints a portrait of Flora. Mrs. Swan: Flora’s elderly sister living in 1980s England, who serves as the guardian of Flora’s legacy while dealing with prying biographers and cultural memories.
First Performance: 1995, at Aldwych Theatre, London
Well-received for its evocative atmosphere and clever structure; successfully transitioned from radio to a long-running West End production.
Original Actors: Felicity Kendal, Art Malik