Review: Guru of Chai

Words by: Izzy Christie

At the beginning of Guru of Chai, a storyteller chai-wallah (tea-seller) promises the audience that "your problems will be gone; tonight, your loneliness, your emptiness—all gone!" He promises a night of absurdity, magic, and escapism. Guru of Chai delivers on this promise unequivocally and surprises its audience with genuine emotion and real heart.

The production is a tightly honed technical feat. The set, lighting, and sound all work together expertly to create a tactile cityscape of modern-day India. Several forms of puppetry and close-up magic are utilised, adding to the effervescent, infectious quality of the production.

The powerhouse of this play is the performer and co-writer Jacob Rajan, who embodies some 17 characters throughout the production without missing a beat, pushing against the boundaries of what an actor can achieve. He never breaks character and is a skilled improviser to whom an obnoxious ringtone is a comedic gift. Jacob Rajan plays quirky, dirty, and sincere, but his greatest quality is that he is a captivating storyteller.

Guru of Chai is about human connection through storytelling and... chai! Before the play, this drink was served, and during the play, it was prepared on stage, fostering manaakitanga and connection. The intoxicating story is spurred by characters who seek out and flounder into connections. The greatest connection, however, is the one Rajan fosters with his audience. I have never been to a play with such a reactive audience, and to say people were cracking up is a gross underestimate. At times hilarious and, at times, profound. The production convincingly holds humans' universality and eccentricity.

I began writing this review at my desk, but my toes felt like they would turn an iceberg blue, so I am now in my bed finding solace with my electric blanket. As I try not to freeze over, all I can think about is the warm, bustling world Guru of Chai invited me into and how I would like to return there, even for a moment. I urge my fellow Wellingtonians—do not spend your nights shivering in your cold, damp flat! Modern India, world-class theatre, and cups of warm chai are waiting for you at the Hannah Playhouse!