We are thrilled to share an extraordinary milestone for our flagship community initiative! Members of The Happy Hour Project cohort recently swapped our workshop hub in Sandwell for a momentous trip to London, visiting Kensington Palace to experience the critically acclaimed exhibition, The Last Princesses of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women who shaped her.
A Resonant Connection to Heritage
For our participants—a vibrant group of South Asian elders and global majority community members aged 50 to 80+—this trip was far more than a standard day out. It served as a profound bridge connecting their own histories with the rich, complex legacy of the British South Asian diaspora.
The exhibition intimately charts the lives of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (the trailblazing suffragette icon and goddaughter to Queen Victoria), her sisters Catherine and Bamba, her mother Bamba Muller, and her formidable grandmother, Maharani Jind Kaur. Witnessing rare personal artefacts, letters, and textiles brought to life an era that directly mirrors our community’s enduring themes of identity, resilience, and resistance.
“Seeing our elders engage so deeply with these historical narratives at Kensington Palace was an unforgettable experience. This is exactly why The Happy Hour Project exists—to break down barriers, bridge generations, and bring joy and validation to our community.”
— Kiren Jogi, Artistic Director of Curl Girl Productions
Inspiring the Next Stage of Our Work
At Curl Girl Productions CIC, our core mission is to create culture-rich, representative theatre and creative spaces that platform authentic voices. Stepping into Kensington Palace allowed our elders to see British South Asian history taking center stage in a major royal institution.
The stories, visual displays, and emotional conversations sparked during this excursion will directly fuel our upcoming creative workshops. Our cohort will be using these reflections to co-create original performances, textile crafts, and storytelling pieces that celebrate their own lived heritage and personal journeys.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the curators and staff at Historic Royal Palaces for their wonderful hospitality. Most importantly, we thank our incredible participants whose energy, wisdom, and laughter made the journey truly magical.
Want to get involved?
The Happy Hour Project runs weekly creative sessions in Sandwell. To learn more about joining our next cohort, booking a workshop for a community group, or collaborating as a creative facilitator, email us at hello@curlgirlproductions.com or visit our website to explore our latest updates.