Tippoo Saib at Astley’s Amphitheatre: Exploring the Scenic Atmosphere of Theatrical Orientalism

Abstract

Astley’s Amphitheatre, a pioneering site of popular entertainment in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century London, was more than a venue for equestrian spectacles; it was a gateway to empire that brought the colony into close visual proximity to the metropole. Such theatrical entertainments played a pivotal role in shaping British perceptions of empire, power, and the ‘Orient.’ Through performances that dramatized the British military’s encounters with foreign powers, particularly the famed defeat of Tipu Sultan—depicted in performances like The Siege of Bangalore (1792), Tippoo Saib’s Two Sons (1792), and The Siege of Seringapatam (1800)—Astley’s became a cultural space where the politics of imperial conquest were translated into a public spectacle for mass audiences. In this presentation, I investigate the scenography and performative dynamics of Astley’s Amphitheatre to represent the Anglo-Mysore wars and the ultimate defeat of Tipu Sultan. By exploring how the spatial configuration and performative practices within this popular theatre contributed to the construction and dissemination of British imperial power, I also highlight moments of ambivalence that disrupted established Orientalist frameworks. The presentation aims to expand the understanding of how colonial narratives were constructed and contested in public performance spaces, contributing to broader discussions on the intersections of performance, politics, and imperialism in British theatrical culture.