Shakespeare Wallah + intro

During the early days of post-colonial rule, a company of nomadic actors travel across India performing Shakespeare. When young troupe member Lizzie falls in love with local playboy Sanju, the pair must overcome cultural differences and the scheming of fierce Indian film actress – and rival for Sanju’s affections – Manjula. 

Plaintive and haunting, Shakespeare Wallah was Merchant Ivory’s first international success. Shot by Satyajit Ray’s cameraman, Subrata Mitra – and scored by Ray himself – the film is a delicate love story that sets the tone for so many of James Ivory and Ismail Merchant’s future collaborations.

Event/ This screening will be introduced by Omar Ahmed, UK-based film scholar.

Merchant Ivory, the first definitive documentary exploring the partnership between director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, screens on general release from Fri 6 Dec.