Posts tagged Ingrid Grenar

Awaiting the start of the show on opening night of Guru of Chai my eyes darted around the small and simple set surveying the array of instruments on the stage, but I was still none the wiser as to what was to come.

Enter a poor chaiwallah,  (Jacob Rajan) an over excited, animated, bucktoothed Indian tea seller, and Dave (David Ward)  his muted friend. They were ready to tell us a story, to allow us to be relieved of our emptiness, escape our ‘painful urinations’ that we inevitably suffer from and enter their world to become enlightened! 

Jacob Rajan in Indian Ink’s Guru of Chai - Photo from www.qtheatre.co.nz

It was with this introduction that we were transported to a chai stall in a hot Bangalore Central Station. Accompanied by Dave, who provides both harmony, melody and atmosphere throughout the 90 minute performance, our raconteur told the tale of the abandoned seven sisters who sang for a living at the Chai stall all those years ago.

What followed was nothing short of enchanting and magical, but also hilariously funny. Using the Indian fairytale of ‘Punchkin’ as inspiration, Indian Ink Theatre Company have produced a modern spin on the ancient art form of storytelling.

The plot has all the twitsts and turns one should expect but what wasn’t expexted was how expertly Jacob and David would collectively bring these characterss, places and emotions to life. Jacob’s portrayal of our canny narrator, with a penchant for cock fighting, is brilliantly funny and endearing. A few useful props where key in some of the joy, laughter and sadness but other than that only one ruled the stage and that was Jacob.

The beautiful music and song composed by David Ward enabled the audience to drift further into this world and his talent only hightened our senses to become effortlessly  immersed in the compelling yarn being spun on stage.

After the performance I lost count of how many conversations I overheard praising this inspiring and heartwarming tale told so expertly by the talented duo. The most notable comment I heard was one lady saying ‘I just thought all those people were there! He brought everyone to life!’

Justin Lewis – Indian Ink Theatre Company

Speaking after the show director, writer and executive producer, Justin Lewis announced a future season in New York and the beginnings of a Film.

 Jacob Rajan speaking after opening night at Q Theatre

This show is an original and modern triumph in storytelling and compelling theatre. A fantastic show that really should be everyone’s cup of tea!

Guru of Chai is on at Q Theatre, Auckland until the 21 July and opened this week.

Just over an hour of powerful ideas, movement, sounds and bodies graced the stage of Rangatira, Q Theatre last night.

The winter solstice and Maori New Year, Matariki, set the perfect time for the Atamira Dance Company to showcase, KAHA Short Works 2012.

This varied programme features both new works and old favourites in a show intended to share the strength and diversity of these admirable dancers.

During the eight performances the audience is taken through an emotional and cultural journey, introduced by artistic director Moss Patterson. 

Moss’s genuine passion, warmth and love for this art shines through in his performance, choreography and introductions. He really creates the community and spiritual feel that sets this show apart. 

From a powerful opening Haka to the playful Poi E Thriller, this is New Zealand contemporary dance at it’s most innovative. Strong imagery and costume design really added to the atmosphere and execution of the individual pieces. The stage seemed vast as you were transported from one scene to another through many emerging personalities.  

For those who are not that accustomed to this type of performance in contemporary dance there are some more challenging pieces, but it’s not intimidating and the nature and ethos of this company should clear any apprehensions.

Judging from the reactions on the night the audience were thrilled and moved by this programme which plays at Q Theatre until the 23 June.

KAHA is a fantastic celebration of Maori culture as well as a verifiable demonstration of New Zealand’s world class creativity and choreography in contemporary dance.

Atamira dance company should be proud of these works!

Further performances during Matariki are listed here.

Thanks to Elephant Publicity! 

Terry Alderton is back in New Zealand with his new show You’ll Be Glad to See the Back of Him at the Q Theatre in Auckland this week.

While leaving the theatre, following last nights opening night of this unique UK act, my boyfriend said, ‘I can’t wait to read your review of that!’

This is not to say we didn’t like it, we loved it! It was just that he is so totally insane that we found it difficult to describe his show.

I wasn’t surprised to learn that Terry had an acting background as his phsycalities and charactisations are spot on. I believe he is the most theatrical comedian I have ever seen on stage (with the exception of Lee Evens; a comparison and indeed impersonation Terry makes himself, and who Kiwi readers may not be aware of so you will just have to trust me on this one).

This show is random and surreal, a sort of planned bedlam with huge Shakespearean expressions and movements. There’s music, sound effects, songs, dancing and many many characters. 

I say characters but really I mean personalties as after a while you are not sure who Terry actually is, which I guess is the point. During the show he switches around voices, sound effects and even appendages amongst his seemingly Gollumesq turmoil.

Sometimes you are not sure if you should laugh or not but if you stick with it you definitely should. If you are one of the lucky few to get Terry’s attention during the show you too will be pulled into his crazy world and it won’t be a show you forget easily!

His talent for voices and sound effects is astonishing and the pace and speed of his delivery was almost exhausting, but exciting to watch. I admired his ability to deliver subtle jokes around all the madness and to ressurect references from earlier on in the show.

Terry is a comedian that encompasses so much talent and variety in his performance its no surprise he battles with which version of himself to perform as!

Check out Terry Alderton at Q Theatre until 12 May.

Bookings: 093099771