GURU OF CHAI

By INDIAN INK, New Zealand

Commissioned by AGAM THEATRE LAB, Singapore

DATE & TIME: 22 & 23 August 2026 SAT & SUN, 3PM & 7.30PM

​​VENUE: The Theatre Lab@Agam

​​​TICKETS : $28 (Students & Senior Citizens), $40 (General)

​​DURATION : 1 Hr 20min (No interval)

​​​LANGUAGE : English

​​​SURTITLES : NA

​​​RATING ADVISE : 10 and above

​​ADVISORIES : NA

SYNOPSIS

Guru of Chai has been described as a work of genius. 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. 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.

​Jacob Rajan stars as a buck-toothed Guru, dispensing dubious spiritual wisdom while channelling 17 perfectly realised characters in this gripping thriller.

Outrageously funny and heartbreakingly beautiful, with a killer live sound track, this is not to be missed.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards (2010):

Winner: Production of the Year (NZ Play of the Year).

Winner: Actor of the Year (Jacob Rajan).

Winner: Composer of the Year (David Ward).

Other Recognitions: Nominated for the Stage Award for Best Actor at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Part of Indian Ink’s collection of works that have garnered 13 national and international awards