THE GURU OF CHAI Comes to Arts Centre Melbourne

The contradictions of modern India with its iPhones and ancient gods come alive in The Guru of Chai, an outrageously funny and profoundly beautiful romantic thriller at Arts Centre Melbourne from 22 - 27 August.

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 her song.

Loosely based on the Indian fairy tale Punchkin, 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.

Jacob Rajan is a founding partner and company director of New Zealand Powerhouse Theatre company Indian Ink with director Justin Lewis. Their productions blend theatrical traditions with eastern flavours and are critically acclaimed for their use of live music, heightened theatricality, humour, pathos and accomplished storytelling.

From lounge rooms in New Zealand to stages in Edinburgh, Singapore and the US, Indian Ink have 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.

Boasting two Edinburgh Fringe First awards, three Production of the Year awards and Best Play, Best Composer and Best Actor at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, The Guru of Chai is not to be missed.

For bookings and more visit www.artscentremelbourne.com.au.

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