What happens to a life-long friendship when two ordinary men are ordered to do the unthinkable? Find out in Guards at the Taj when it opens at The Art House Wyong this September.
Coming to Wyong courtesy of Riverside Theatre, this new dramedy about brotherhood, betrayal, and bloodshed, explores the mythology around the Taj Mahal.
Framed around two low ranking guards with the dubious privilege of graveyard shift during the Taj’s construction, they spend their nights keeping the soon to be wonder of the world away from prying eyes. Childhood friends, one idealistic dreamer (Akkshey Caplash) and one stoic loyalist (Idam Sondhi), they pass the long nights bickering and bantering, never allowing themselves a peek at what they’re protecting, until everything changes on the eve of the opening.
To ensure that nothing as marvellous is built again, the emperor orders his guards to carry out an unspeakable task. Playing out across a series of pivotal moments from dusk until dawn, the story interweaves history with hearsay as it explores themes of beauty, power, resistance, and loyalty.
Featuring a heartbreakingly funny and relatable friendship tested and broken by extreme and brutal circumstances, enhanced all the more by incredible set, costume, and lighting design, Guards at The Taj is breakout theatre at its experimental best.
Popularised on the West End and having wowed Sydney theatregoers, audiences should not miss this rare chance to see this incredible new Australian take on the play.
Guards at The Taj opens at The Art House on Tuesday, September 10th. Tickets are on-sale now.
“Imagine the black-humoured banter of Waiting for Godot dressing the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy, and you are near the mark of this deeply disturbing and yet engrossing play, stunningly realised in a National Theatre of Parramatta production by first-time professional director Bali Padda. It’s not just that directorial debuts don’t come any stronger than this, few productions of any sort do. ★★★★½.” – Sydney Morning Herald
“Sondhi and Caplash imbue their odd couple-esque characters with the perfect amount of individual likeability and collective chemistry, meaning that they can dominate the stage together and on their own. ★★★★” – ArtsHub
“A great lie makes for dynamic and eventful storytelling, and a superb and entertaining ninety minute of live theatre.” – Sydney Arts Guide
The Art House Presents
Guards at The Taj
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Bali Padda
A National Theatre of Parramatta Production
TUE SEP 10 7:30PM
Duration: 90 minutes no interval
Warnings:Contains haze effects and coarse language. This production includes depictions of blood and simulated violence
Recommended for ages 14+
Tickets: Adult: $35.00 | Concession: $30.00 | Encore Members: $25.00
Under 30: $25.00 | Groups (10+): $25.00 | School Groups: $20.00