Five great plays…celebrating remarkable women from history

Cast: 4-7f, 2m

Synopsis: This boldly theatrical and complex play about imperialism, cultural appropriation (and tea) dramatizes the story of Sarah Bonetta, a Yoruba princess who was adopted by Queen Victoria and raised in English high society. The Gift premiered at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry in January 2020, followed by a UK tour – including a run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, London – in a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company and the Belgrade Theatre.

Why it's great for your students: Contrasting her life in 19^th-century Britain with ongoing prejudices towards black people today, it provides rich opportunities for cross-curricular discussion, study and performance. Metro described it as ‘a bold exploration of black Britishness that is as agonising as it is funny.’