THE GURU OF CHAI

Photo: Robert Catto Photo by Robert Catto

Jacob Rajan – Performer, writer Justin Lewis – Director, writer INDIAN INK [1hr 15mins] at At a living room near you; possibly yours, Auckland & Wellington From 11 Feb 2010 to 30 May 2010 Shed 13 (MOJO HQ), Wellington Waterfront, Wellington From 7 Mar 2010 to 8 Mar 2010 Theatre Royal, Nelson From 8 Sep 2010 to 11 Sep 2010 Downstage Theatre, Wellington From 15 Sep 2010 to 3 Oct 2010 Meteor Theatre, Hamilton From 5 Oct 2010 to 9 Oct 2010 Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, New Plymouth From 7 Apr 2011 to 9 Apr 2011 Lake Wanaka Centre, Wanaka 12 Apr 2011 Maidment, Auckland From 29 Jun 2011 to 16 Jul 2011 Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland From 11 Jul 2012 to 21 Jul 2012 The Barrow Group, 312 W 36th St, 3rd Floor, NYC, USA From 13 Jan 2013 to 14 Jan 2013 Downstage - return season, Wellington From 11 Apr 2013 to 24 Apr 2013 Reviewed by:  Kate Ward-Smythe; John Smythe; Moreen Eason & John Jefferies; Hannah Smith; Laurie Atkinson; Lynn Freeman (Capital Times); Vanessa Byrnes; Ngaire Riley; Caroline Harker; Stephen Austin; Nik Smythe; James Wenley; Phoebe Smith;

Are you looking for meaning in your life? Maybe you are looking for love ... or a new love? A better cellphone, a faster, more reliable internet connection or even, like the hero of our story, you are searching for the magic you feel is missing from your life.

The Guru of Chai is Indian Ink's newest play by New Zealand's celebrated storytellers bubbling with the magical flavours of previous sell-out seasons (Krishnan's Dairy, The Candlestickmaker The Pickle King).

Theatrical magician and award-winning actor Jacob Rajan brings to life a delicious brew of colourful characters – from a poor young girl with a heavenly voice, a shady thug, an ambitious policeman to a desirable stuffed parrot and of course the guru with his dubious talents.

The Guru of Chai is an adaptation of a traditional Indian folk tale, blended here with live music, puppetry and the effervescent charm of Indian Ink's magical staging.

A young girl is abandoned at an Indian railway station and brings the place to a standstill with the beauty of her singing. An honest young policeman falls hopelessly in love with her but is rejected in favour of a disreputable poet.

Modern India is the backdrop to this piece about the power of story and the dangers of keeping your soul in a cage; be careful what you wish for it might just come true!

“Such is the power of Jacob Rajan's ground-breaking work: it changes the way you see the world… such riveting theatre that you would have to have a heart of reinforced concrete not to be captivated.”  NZ Listener

Background

Indian Ink Theatre Company was formed by Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan in 1996 and is recognised as one of New Zealand's most successful theatre companies with a reputation for “total theatre which offers humanity and psychological insight in a package of good plain laughs, luminous performances and brilliant staging” (Dominion Post, NZ).

Beginning with its first play, Krishnan's Dairy, followed by The Candlestickmaker and The Pickle King, Indian Ink has won three Production of the Year Awards and two Edinburgh Fringe First Awards. The three plays have broken box-office records on the way to a total audience of more that 170,000 people.

The company's international reputation has also seen seasons sell out in Australia, Singapore, the UK and Germany.

Indian Ink marinates Western theatrical traditions in Indian flavours but above all seeks to tell good stories that touch people of all cultures.

At a living room near you: possibly your own
‘In Home' performances available March – May 2010
For venue details and how to book a show at your place, go to www.indianink.co.nz

Wellington 'previews' at
Shed 13 (MOJO HQ), Wellington Waterfront
7 & 8 March 2010
6pm

12 April,  7pm,  Lake Wanaka Centre  
13 April,  7pm,  Cromwell Memorial Hall - Door sales from 6pm  
15 April,  7pm,  Luggate Memorial Hall - SOLD OUT  

THE GURU OF CHAI
29 Jun - 16 Jul 2011
Maidment Theatre (Auckland University)

Mon & Tues at 6.30pm
Wed – Sat at 8pm
No show Sundays

Tickets: $24 - $49*
Bookings: (09) 308 2383 or www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz

Auckland 2012 season: Q Rangatira 

GURU OF CHAI
10^th – 21^st July 2012
Mon and Tues 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. No Show Sunday 
Rangatira at Q, 305 Queen Street, Auckland 
Bookings – Q Theatre: 09 309 9771 or http://www.indianink.co.nz  

2012 

GURU OF CHAI plays 10^th – 21^st July 2012 
Mon and Tues 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. No Show Sunday. 
Rangatira at Q, 305 Queen Street, Auckland 
Bookings – Q Theatre: 09 309 9771 or http://www.indianink.co.nz  

2013 

GURU OF CHAI in the USA 

New York City 
The Barrow Group 
W 36th Street,
13-14 January 2013 
Sunday 13 Jan - 11am and 7.30pm
Monday 14 Jan - 12midday and 7.30pm

Kansas 
University of Kansas 
Lawrence 
Lied Center of Kansas  
7-9 February 2013

Characters' names:
Imran ( and little Imran)
Kutisar
Balna
Punchkin
Thumby

The Team
Jacob Rajan         Performer, writer
Justin Lewis          Director, writer
David Ward           Musician, Composer
John Verryt            Set and Costume Design
Jeremy Fern          Lighting Design
Murray Edmond     Dramaturge
Roger King            Producer

Lighting Developed                  Cathy Knowsley
Producer                                   Louise Gallagher
Technical & Tour Manager     Cathy Knowsley  (Nelson/Wellington) 
                                                  Anna Drakeford (Hamilton/Napier)
Indian Singing Advisor            Ravi Muthu
Set Construction                       2 Construct
Set Painting                              Kathryn Lim
Photography                             John McDermott
                                                  Robert Catto
Marketing Advisor                   Arne Hermann
Publicist                                    Sally Woodfield SWPR
Graphic Design                        Andrew Symons BOLD CREATIVE