Guards at the Taj

By Rajiv Joseph

12 — 14 Sep 2024

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About

A RETURN OF OUR CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SEASON ★★★★½
Directed by Bali Padda

What happens to a lifelong friendship when two ordinary men are ordered to do the unthinkable?
Featuring a heartbreakingly funny friendship put to the ultimate test and existential banter reminiscent of Beckett and Stoppard, Guards at the Taj
mixes witty black comedy with the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy.

Guards at the Taj will tour nationally in 2024 with a return season at Riverside Theatres.

THURSDAY 12 September 7:45pm
FRIDAY 13 September 7:45pm
SATURDAY 14 September
2:30pm with post show Q&A with Bali Padda
7:45PM

Content warning: This production includes the use of blood, theatre haze, coarse language, and simulated violence.

★★★★½
It’s not just that directorial debuts don’t come any stronger than this, few productions of any sort do.
– Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★
A combination of powerful acting performances, subtly impactful production elements, and cohesive artistic direction make for a gripping and well-told story.
– Artshub

Guards at the Taj is touching, funny and potent. Directed by Bali Padda, the play is a captivating exploration of how far friendship can be pushed and the tension between duty and humanity.”
– City Hub

“A great lie makes for dynamic and eventful storytelling, and a superb and entertaining ninety minutes of live theatre.”
– Sydney Arts Guide

CAST & CREATIVES

Playwright Rajiv Joseph
Director and Tour Producer Bali Padda

With
Akkshey Caplash
Idam Sondhi

Set and Costume Designer James Browne
Sound Designer Me-Lee Hay
Lighting Designer  Kate Baldwin
Tour Producer Rachael Adamson
Stage Manager Caitie Murphy
Production Manager D.Andrew Potvin
Fight Coordinator Scott Witt

EVENTS

IN CONVERSATION 
Join us on Saturday 14 September (2.30pm) for a post-show Q&A with acclaimed director Bali Padda and Neeru Saluja. This intimate in conversation event will give audiences the opportunity to hear from the director behind the return season tour.

Neeru Saluja is a freelance film and arts writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has been instrumental in giving a voice to the South Asian artists within Australia via her in-depth interviews. Specialising in celebrity interviews, she has interviewed the who’s who of the Indian film industry. She has also interviewed artists for the Sydney Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, SXSW Sydney, WOMADelaide, AACTA and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Tickets from $59 and includes performance and post-show Q&A.

WELCOME NIGHT – ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED
National Theatre of Parramatta welcomes you to immerse yourself in a night at the theatre. Our budget friendly Welcome Night $29* tickets aim to give audiences the freedom to dip their toe in and explore works from western Sydney and around the world. Join us for a Welcome Night for Guards at the Taj on Thursday 12 September. Book here for Guards at the Taj WELCOME NIGHT.

*plus booking fee. Offer only available to dedicated WELCOME NIGHT and until allocation is exhausted.

TOUR

2024 TOUR DATES AND BOOKINGS

FRANKSTON
Tuesday 3 September
Frankston Arts Centre

WYONG
Tuesday 10 September
The Art House

PARRAMATTA
Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 September
Riverside Theatres

TAMWORTH
Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 September
Capitol Theatre

WOLLONGONG 
Friday 20 – Saturday 21 September
Merrigong Theatre

ORANGE 
Friday 27 September
Orange Civic Centre

BATHURST 
Saturday 28 September
Bathurst Entertainment Centre

PENRITH
Friday 4 – Saturday 5 October
The Joan – Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

DARWIN
Friday 11 October
Darwin Entertainment Centre

CONTENT

Content warning: This production includes the use of blood, theatre haze, coarse language, and simulated violence.

If Guards at the Taj raises any concerns for you following the performance, Lifeline offers a 24 hour counselling service and can be reached at 13 11 14 . Additional information can be found on their website, www.lifeline.org.au. Other services which may be of assistance include mental health advocacy organisation, Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au1300 224 636 ) or speak to your local GP or trusted source.