The Catholic Weekly 5 July 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 21 5, July, 2020 VISTA WILL BE TAKING A SHORT BREAK ... But watch this page for more interesting news locally and from around the world A sumptuous visual treat, and then some A WELCOME escape is in store for visitors to Beecham House , a lavishly produced historical drama set in India. The six-episode series debut- ed on PBS in June (check lo- cal listings for time and chan- nel), while the entire series is streaming now on PBS Pass- port. Filmed on location in Delhi and Rajasthan with an inter- national cast, Beecham House re-creates a time of transition on the subcontinent before British rule. In 1795, Mogul Emperor Shah Alam (Roshan Seth) still reigns supreme atop his bejewelled Peacock Throne. But imperial hegemony over lucrative trade routes is chal- lenged by merchants (with soldiers in tow) from France and Britain. Political intrigue, forbidden love and a clash of cultures make for a pulpy soap opera, and director and co-writer Gurinder Chadha does not disappoint. In fact, Beecham House resembles Downton Abbey in its saga of life above and below stairs in a great manor. Head of the eponymous household is John Beecham (TomBateman), a ruggedman of mystery. A former officer of the British East India Compa- ny, Beecham left his post in search of enlightenment, dis- gusted by his unit’s pillaging of the native population. Three years later, a newly enriched Beecham (although dressed like Indiana Jones) arrives at his expansive new home. To the surprise of his retinue of servants, he brings an infant son, but no wife. The baby, moreover, is a mixed- race child, adding to the in- trigue. Beechambarely has time to unpack before his dotty moth- er, Henrietta (Lesley Nicol), and her young companion, Violet (Bessie Carter), arrive after a long journey from Eng- land. Nicol, best known for her role as the highly-strung Mrs Patmore on Downton ,plays another fussbudget here, of- fering comic relief as an exas- perated fish-out-of-water. Henrietta is determined that her son marry Violet. But Beecham only has eyes for his next-door neighbour, an Eng- lish governess named Marga- ret (Dakota Blue Richards), who tutors the emperor’s chil- dren. Don’t forget about that baby. Upsetting the mango cart even further is the arrival of Chandrika (Pallavi Shar- da), an exotic lady who takes charge of the child, leaving many to wonder if she is his mother. Meanwhile, Beecham’s dissolute brother Daniel (Leo Suter) moves in. Although en- listed in the East India Com- pany, he prefers to savour his brother’s hospitality and woo the baby’s nurse, Chanchal (Shriya Pilgaonkar). As things heat up in the household, Beecham tries to make an honest living as a fair trader, respecting the rights and cus- toms of the Indian people. Standing in his way is his shady business partner, Sam- uel Parker (Marc Warren), who’s secretly allied with French General Castillon (Gregory Fitoussi), who de- spises all things British. Judging from the first four episodes, “Beecham House” is a guilty pleasure, with min- imal violence and discreet sensuality. Armchair travellers will savour this passage to India most for its magnificent scen- ery, sumptuous sets and glit- tering costumes. ¾ ¾ Joseph McAleer A passage to India:Tom Bateman, centre and below, stars with an international cast in the television series Beecham House . PHOTOS: CNS/PBS ENTERTAINMENT BEECHAM HOUSE STREAMING ON NETFLIX Political intrigue, forbidden love and a clash of cultures make for a pulpy soap opera, and director and co-writer Gurinder Chadha does not disappoint.”