Camille was written by Pam Gems and is based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, ‘La Dame aux Camélias'. The same novel also inspired Verdi's classical opera 'La Traviata' and tells one of the greatest tragic love stories in history.
The play has been adapted for radio by Satinder Chohan who has re-set the story from France to India. The story is still set in 1848, but instead of the classical salons of 19th-century Paris the story is set in the thriving courtesan houses of Calcutta, in a society described by Gems as "marked by monsters, competitiveness, ugliness in relationships".
Narinder Samra stars in the play as the Maharaja, alongside Charithra Chandran (who played Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton Series 2) as Camille and Ronak Patani as Armaan. Camille, a famous courtesan, falls in love with Armaan, a young aristocrat, beginning an eternal story about desperate dilemmas. The Maharaja is the father of Armaan who is displeased with Camille and Armaan’s relationship and is driven to break it apart.
The Maharaja is (in the words of Armaan) "a cold devil" who has trouble containing his rage and who acts with the utmost cruelty to save his family's honour and reputation.
The play will be complemented by specially performed classical Indian music. The Radio Times has selected it as one of it's picks of the week calling it "a beautifully wrought production, from the casting to the exquisite music".
The play will be broadcast on Radio 3 this Sunday evening, 26th June, at 7.30pm.
Award-winning actor Narinder Samra is available for voiceovers from Anthea Represents. Click his image for his profile page and voiceover showreel.
