This March, the Singapore Repertory Theatre will be bringing back two highly popular plays, Guru of Chai and Krishnan's Dairy, in conjunction with New Zealand's Indian Ink Theatre Company.
At the end of a stress-filled work day, there's nothing quite like a couple of hours of escapism, losing your worries to well-developed story lines and engaging characters in the world of theatre. And this March, the Singapore Repertory Theatre will be bringing back two highly popular plays -- 'Guru of Chai' and 'Krishnan's Dairy' -- in conjunction with New Zealand's Indian Ink Theatre Company, promising stress-relieving evenings filled with humour and wit.
Last staged in Singapore in 2006 ('Krishnan's Dairy') and 2011 ('Guru of Chai') and starring the phenomenally talented Jacob Rajan, both plays have garnered much acclaim from local critics, and were consistently sold-out, thanks to heartwarming storylines and Rajan's effortless talent.
"It is plays like these that make theatre a magical art form -- with the power to mesmerize and transport audiences on a collective journey to another world," raves SRT's artistic director Gaurav Kripalani. Indian Ink producer and director Justin Lewis believes that the success is largely because "Singaporean audience understand the collision of ancient and modern, the mix of East and West, the balance of funny and sad that lies at the heart of our work".
Ahead of the shows' run in Singapore in March, we give you a sneak preview of what the plays are all about and why you should be adding them to your Must-Do list in the month.
The two plays have garnered much acclaim from from local critics, and were sold out consistently, thanks to heartwarming storylines and Rajan's effortless talent.
Guru of Chai (6 - 17 March 2012)
Praised as being "pure magic" and "satisfying and smooth", 'Guru of Chai' is a beautiful story of love, loss and enlightenment. It also won Best Play, Best Actor and Best Composer at the New Zealand Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.
"Once a millennium there comes a teacher who awakens us all to the power of the divine. But if you can’t wait that long, book an audience with the Guru of Chaii! A spiritual leader who will sell you a cup of tea, charm you with his infectious smile, and take away all that is wrong with your life. Enlightenment is at hand.
A poor chaiwallah’s (tea seller’s) life is 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. An honest young policeman falls hopelessly in love with her but is rejected in favour of a disreputable poet. The contradictions of modern India with its iPhones and ancient gods form the backdrop to this story about the dangers of keeping your soul locked in a cage."
Krishnan's Dairy (21 - 31 March 2012)
It's a story of two universal Indian cliches -- the Taj Mahal, and the corner store -- fused together for a funny and touching love story. "'Krishnan's Dairy' might just be a feel-good morsel to restore jaded theatre palates," gushed The Straits Times.
"Gobi and Zina Krishnan have moved to New Zealand in search of a better life for themselves and their child. They work hard and keep their dreams stacked on the shelves of their struggling business – Krishnan's Dairy.
Woven into their story is the epic tale of the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and an enduring testament to the love of one man for his wife. A love story unfolds behind the counter with hilarious and deeply moving consequences for the hopeful, vulnerable lives of this immigrant shopkeeper and his wife.
You'll never look at your corner store in the same way again."
Ticketing details:
Date: 6 - 31 March 2012
Time: 8pm (Monday to Saturday); 4pm for Saturday matinees
Price: S$40 - $55 plus SISTIC fee. Student discounts available.
Venue: DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT, 20 Merbau Rd, +65 6733 8166, www.srt.com.sg
Ticketing: SISTIC at +65 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg
Sponsored by the Singapore Repertory Theatre
