This November, Rifco Theatre Company brings a powerful living history to Hampton Court Palace with The Indian Army at the Palace, a captivating series of three 15-minute pieces inspired by the Indian Army soldiers (sepoys) who once camped in the Palace grounds.
The plays honour the 1.4 million forgotten Indian soldiers of the First World War who fought for Britain – men from villages across undivided India who served with courage and loyalty on the front lines of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Their bravery and sacrifice helped shape world history, yet they have too often been forgotten.
The Indian Army at the Palace invites visitors to step into these untold stories exploring friendship, identity, and survival in a world of empire and change. From missed Coronation parades and tea with suffragette princess Sophia Duleep Singh, to moments of reflection in the aftermath of war, these intimate tales illuminate the humanity and heroism of men who crossed continents and cultures.
This year, instead of wearing poppies alone, audiences are invited to wear marigold flower pins – a powerful symbol to honour these forgotten sepoys, their resilience, and the enduring bond between India and Britain. The marigold, bright and steadfast, represents remembrance, hope, and renewal.
Written and directed by Pravesh Kumar MBE (Artistic Director and Founder of Rifco Theatre Company) and directed by Ameet Chana, the performances are created in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces’ community curators Rav Singh and Tejpal Ralmill from A Little History of the Sikhs.
“We hope visitors will encounter performances that are not only humorous but deeply moving stories that honour the sepoys who once stood on this very ground,” says Pravesh Kumar MBE.
“I feel an immense responsibility to tell these stories of the Indian sepoys, who once walked the very grounds of Hampton Court Palace. To stand here now, sharing their voices through theatre, feels both humbling and powerful. These men were part of Britain’s history, yet their experiences have long been forgotten. At Rifco, it is our mission to tell these stories with authenticity, warmth, and pride. This is our way of remembering, not just by wearing poppies, but by wearing marigolds and reviving the voices history forgot.”
Writer and Director – Pravesh Kumar MBE
Director – Ameet Chana
Costume Designer & Movement Director – Andy Kumar
Musical Director – Hinal Pattani
Producer – Amy Mann
Executive Producer – George Warren
Marketing Manager – Shamima Noor
