Theatre Royal Stratford East hosts The Gift, an outrageous comedy drama about imperialism, cross-racial adoption, cultural appropriation and drinking tea.

The play is set in Brighton, 1852, on a day in the life of Sarah, an African girl, adopted by Queen Victoria and raised in the Queen’s circles. Today is the eve of her having to return to Africa – but will she go?

Fast forward to the present, and it’s a day in the life of Sarah, a black middle-class woman staying in a Cheshire village with her husband and small child. They are paid a visit by well-meaning neighbours who have something to confess…

And then the two Sarahs meet Queen Victoria for tea. This won’t be your regular tea party…

The fourth national tour born from Revolution Mix – an Eclipse movement that is spearheading the largest ever delivery of new Black British stories. The first Revolution Mix story was the sell-out production of Black Men Walking and the second, this year’s highly acclaimed Princess & The Hustler. Eclipse are the foremost Black-led national touring company in the UK and The Gift marks their first production at Stratford East.