The Empire dissects the politics of occupation, home and abroad.

Helmand in the height of summer. Gary, a British soldier, and Hafizullah, his Afghan colleague, guard an injured young prisoner, Zia, found in the heat of battle. Gary wants answers, Hafizullah just wants to make it through the day, and Zia thinks there has been a big mistake.

The Empire playwright DC Moore’s first play for the Royal Court, Alaska, was staged in 2007 and won him the Tom Erhardt Award for promising new playwrights.

The Empire is recommended for theatregoers aged 14 and older.

For more about The Empire at the Royal Court, read the First Night Feature.