Indian Ink Return To Whangārei With A Stirring Blend Of Rich Storytelling And Theatre Royalty

Described as a work of genius, Indian Ink’s internationally acclaimed Guru of Chai returns to Whangārei for the first time since its premiere tour in 2013. On 26 & 27 July at Forum North, Whangārei will get to experience the outstanding theatrical magic of this production, filled with romance, intrigue, betrayal, loss and humour.

A poor chai-wallah (tea-seller) has his life changed forever when a young girl is abandoned at a busy railway station and brings the place to a standstill with the beauty of her singing.

The contradictions of modern India, with its iPhones and ancient gods, come alive in this much-loved play from one of New Zealand’s finest performers, Jacob Rajan. A true showcase of his unparalleled talent, Rajan stars as a buck-toothed Guru, dispensing dubious spiritual wisdom while channelling 17 perfectly realised characters in this gripping thriller, including a poet, a policeman, and 7 sisters.

“Honestly, since I first put on those magic, hideous teeth in a workshop 15 years ago, I don’t think the character has ever left me. There’s an inner clown in all of us that is often repressed, and only gets to come out when we’re in the right company or drunk or both. In Guru I found my clown. The character is a complete gift to me as a performer and the audience. A conduit to mischief, pathos, beauty and truth. I can’t wait to unleash him again.” says Rajan.

A quintessentially Indian Ink production, Guru of Chai is outrageously funny and heartbreakingly beautiful, with a killer live soundtrack composed by David Ward. Ward is returning this year to perform the music live on stage, for the first time since the original tour of the production. Directed by Justin Lewis, the production blends Indian storytelling with Western theatrics, drawing from a classic Indian fairytale, modernised and reimagined in a uniquely Indian Ink style.

First premiering in 2010, Guru of Chai has gone on to have an impressive history, winning NZ Play of the Year, Actor of the Year and Composer of the Year. The production has toured extensively both nationally and internationally, with performances in Canada, India, the US and Australia. This season follows rave reviews in Hamilton earlier this year, calling the show “unique, unpredictable and utterly captivating work of art” (Theatreview) and a “stroke of narrative genius” (Waikato Times), and a highly successful tour in 2024 to Auckland, Kāpiti and Wellington.

The remarkable partnership between Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis has continued to create success after success, easily cementing them as some of Aotearoa’s most revered theatremakers. Another success story from their now extensive repertoire, Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, will also be showcased in 2025, with performances in Nelson and Dunedin.
 

“Genius” – Stuff 

“Flawless” – Sydney Morning Herald 

“Nothing short of genius” – Time Out Singapore 

“Sheer brilliance… a joy to behold” – NZ Listener 

Winner: BEST ACTOR      BEST COMPOSER    BEST PLAY

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