The University of West London (UWL) has awarded British playwright Tanika Gupta an Honorary Doctor of Letters for inspiring students at the London College of Music (LCM) with the power of storytelling.
Tanika is known for her theatre work as well as television, film, and radio plays. She has written over 25 stage plays that have been produced in theatres across the UK and 30 radio plays for the BBC and several original television dramas, as well as producing scripts for EastEnders, Grange Hill, and The Bill.
Her play ‘The Waiting Room’, produced for the National Theatre in 2000, was an early career highpoint with Indian film star, Shabana Azmi, performing on the stage in London for the first time.
‘The Empress,’ her 2013 play about Abdul Karim and Queen Victoria is now on the GCSE curriculum, along with her adaptation of Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’, which was first performed at the Hammersmith Lyric in 2018.
‘Lions and Tigers’, her play performed at the Sam Wannamaker Playhouse in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, won the prestigious James Tait Black Prize for Drama 2018. It tells the remarkable story set in the 1930s of her Great Uncle, Dinesh Gupta, an Indian freedom fighter.
Recent productions include April 2021’s ‘Mirror on the Moor’, part of the Royal Court Living Newspaper Editions, and ‘The Overseas Student’, performed at the Hammersmith Lyric, in June 2021.
“Tanika’s work often explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and social justice,” said Senior Lecturer in Dramaturgy and Drama at LCM Dr Isla Hall before presenting her with her award.
“Her plays shed light on important historical events and figures, giving a voice to marginalized communities and challenging stereotypes.”
“Through her storytelling, Tanika has left an indelible mark on the world of theatre and beyond, inspiring others to use their voices for positive change.”
“All I’ve ever done is tell stories and I’ve been so fortunate that people have taken me seriously enough to put my plays on,” said Tanika.
“The theatre is still very white, elitist, male and Eurocentric so it has been hard to get in there and get your voice heard,” she told the graduands. “I would urge all of you to fight your fights, dream your dreams and follow your passions.”
