Guards at the Taj

Orange Tree Theatre, Off-West End, Outer London

About the Show

It’s crazy! Sixteen years in the making! Since we were kids, they’ve been building this!

Agra, India, 1648. The sun rises on the final day of construction of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument the world has ever seen. Imperial Guards and best friends Babur and Humayun must once again follow the Emperor’s orders, and resist the temptation to steal a glimpse.

But as morning’s first light touches the pure white domes, the urge is too strong, and Babur and Humayun are about to discover that beauty comes at a terrible price.

This is an audacious, funny and ever-surprising play about friendship, betrayal and power, directed by 2024’s recipient of the JMK Award, Adam Karim.

The UK’s most prestigious theatre directing prize, the JMK Award, is staged annually at the Orange Tree. Following a demanding selection process, a new talent is given the chance to direct a full production of a modern classic. Over 25 years, the JMK has launched some of the brightest directorial stars including Thea Sharrock, Natalie Abrahami, Polly Findlay and Roy Alexander Weise.

The JMK Trust was founded in memory of James Menzies-Kitchin, a theatre director of thrilling promise, to give practical learning opportunities to theatre directors of similar ability and vision.