Theatre of Debate and Bhuchar Boulevard present A Picture of Health by Sudha Bhuchar Directed by Nigel Townsend

Inspired by Irish painter, Thomas Hickey’s portrait ‘Three Queens of Mysore’ this is a story of a painting capturing a landmark moment in history. Or is it the story of the subjects of the painting? Maybe its the story of the painter? Or those who are missing from the composition?

Set in Mysore, Southern India, n 1805 the story begins when the princess Devajammani arrives at the Royal Court of Mysore to marry Krishnaraja Wadiyar 111. They were both 12 years old and he was the newly anointed ruler of the South Indian kingdom. But Devajammani soon found herself recruited for a more momentous cause — to publicise and promote the small pox vaccine. What followed was a concerted mix of politics, power and persuasion by the East India Company to introduce the world’s first ever vaccine to India, their biggest colonial enterprise.

‘A Picture of Health speaks eloquently to the difficult history of colonialism and medicine in India. Insightful, thoughtful, sensitive and profoundly human. Beautifully written.’-Sheldon Paquin, The Science Museum Group.

Cast: Adrian Paul Jeyasingham, John McAndrew, Nim Gill & Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar

The show will be followed by a post show discussion.

Tickets £15, (£12) https://taratheatre.com/whats-on/a-picture-of-health/