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"In the Shadow of Her Majesty," a new social impact play from actor-writer-director Lois Tallulah, has revealed an all-women cast ahead of its premiere in London next month.
The work, which according to a press release aims to shine a light on the "invisible sentences of poverty and the prison system through the eyes of women," will star Tallulah ("Bull," "EastEnders"), Nancy Brabin-Platt ("Doctor Who"), Hiwet Zemelak (National Youth Theatre), Nadia Lamin ("Nahda" at Bush Theatre) and Jennifer Joseph ("Paradise" at the National Theatre and Netflix's "Top Boy").
"Set in a council flat at the foot of HMP Pentonville, we're welcomed into the modern matriarchal family home to witness some of their most intimate moments during the COVID Christmas of 2020," the plot for "In the Shadow of Her Majesty" reads. "Whilst they locked down all the prisoners, the families were left in the dark whilst inmates were left in their cells for 23 hours a day."
Tallulah and Isla Jackson-Ritchie ("Top Boy," "Bluebird") co-direct from a script by Tallulah, who also serves as a producer alongside Lamin. Sebastian Foux serves as executive producer. The production is presented in partnership with Together Women and charity partner Collage Arts, and has West End ambitions after its initial run at Jack Studio Theatre.
"Though we confront dark moments, the stage is alive with warmth and laughter, much like the kitchens I knew and grew up in," Tallulah said in a statement. "These women have been through so much, struggling daily to provide for their children, yet they manage to smile and find light in the darkest situations. The ripple effects of our current prison system are profound and rarely discussed, and I wanted to give voice to these untold stories -- stories of working-class women in the U.K. today."
Added Together Women CEO Rokaiya Khan, "The themes this social impact piece tackles -- poverty, the criminal justice system and the intersection with domestic violence -- are deeply resonant with the work we do. These are critical conversations that need to be had, and this play is a powerful medium to shed light on these urgent challenges."
"In the Shadow of Her Majesty" will run from Nov. 12 to 16 at Jack Studio Theatre in London. Tickets, starting at £17, can be purchased here.