Guru of Chai
An Indian Ink production
The contradictions of modern India with its iPhones and ancient gods come alive in this outrageously funny and heartbreakingly beautiful romantic thriller.
Amid the chaos of a bustling Bangalore railway station, a poor chai-wallah (tea-seller) has his life changed forever when an abandoned young girl brings the place to a standstill with the beauty of song. Our Guru of Chai (Jacob Rajan) is a bucktoothed chameleon, channelling seventeen different characters and dispensing spiritual wisdom – sometimes questionable – as he plays out this serpentine tale of impossible love and modern day magic. He is by turns charming, loathsome and absurdly profound.
From New Zealand to Edinburgh, Singapore and the US, genre-defying theatre company Indian Ink has been capturing hearts and busting box offices with this heady brew of soul-warming storytelling. Let the guru pour you a cup of his finest, and you'll find that you're the one being stirred. With two Edinburgh Fringe First awards, three Production of the Year awards, as well as achieving Best Play, Best Composer and Best Actor at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, you're in good hands.
★★★★★“A taste of the real magic of theatre” – ArtsHub (2017)
“If being wrapped up in a good story is your ideal night at the theatre, The Guru of Chai won't disappoint.” – The Age (2017)
NOTE: Full Price ticket price listed is for a double pass. You can take up single tickets.
Feedback/Comments
We really enjoyed the Chai-Wallah's performance! Thank You!
Funny at times
Impressive performance and great story telling. We really enjoyed the show
Had a great time. ONTHEHOUSE rocks
Delightful and very engaging story-telling, and who doesn't love a good story!!
Loved it.Thought it was great acting by I man and recommended to someone on the tram on my way home and also to other friends
Full of charisma and humor. The actor managed to captivate the whole audience, entertaining and sharing some wisdoms too.
Great story telling!
Fabulous in every way!!! The actor is sooooo talented. Great storyline.
Jacob was stunningly superb in this (almost) one-person show where he played all of the characters with conviction. His skills were complemented by excellent writing, with a story that kept your interest throughout.
Utterly wonderful. Jacob Rajan was mesmerizing and amazing. It really was a magical evening!
I loved the show. Thanks
Brilliant, very entertaining, I recommend it.
Very funny script and a good smattering of magic tricks. I loved how a single person was able to embody all the characters with the associated body language and voices to make them distinct. I would recommend.
Outstanding theatre - so many characters, just one amazingly talented and very creative actor. It has it all - drama, comedic timing, tragedy, audience participation and poses some existential questions along the way. Looks at both the light and shadow of human nature. Fabulous!!!
Riveting theatre, comedic, thoughtful, suspenseful. Jacob Rajan held the audience enthralled for 90 minutes. Acting and theatre at it's best. You do yourselves a disservice if you miss this.
WOW !!!!!
What a talented individual.
A great show.
Highly recommended.
I really liked the play The Guru of Chai.
I would say it was insightful, culturally fascinating & accessibla ...
a very modern tale.
Jacob Rajan is charmastic, very articulate and thoughful in his interpretation of modern life.
At 90 minutes it was the perfect length.
Thank you.
Loved this show! will be talking about it on radio next week!
A minor issue (echoed by others afterwards) was that the show meandered a touch making it feel a bit drawn out in spots. The performer in this one-man show is an absolute genius at changing between so many characters. A pleasantly diverting evening of watching something like a next-level Fringe show with a budget.
Beautiful story, great actor, didn't laugh like that for a long time.
Excellent story teller. Fantastic actor, performer human being
Absolutely stunning! Couldn't take my eyes off stage. Incredibly, ridiculously talented actor!
So many characters displayed by one actor- each believable and credible and drawing you in. Amazing work by both performers; with a few artistic extras. Thanks so much
fabulous! brilliant! thank you
Narratives leading to wonderful characters that established a great storyline. Humorous, dramatic, philosophical, enjoyed the passion and giving of the actor.
THAT was the BEST show I've seen in ages! It was Brilliant! HE was Brilliant! Would definitely, Definitely, DEFINITELY recommend anyone and Everyone to go see him.
Very entertaining and masterful flow of comedic scenarios