SMASH-HIT DARK COMEDY GUARDS AT THE TAJ RETURNS TO RIVERSIDE’S NATIONAL THEATRE OF PARRAMATTA WITH NATIONAL TOUR

After a critically acclaimed 2022 season, National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) is proud to present the national tour of Guards at the Taj. This heartbreakingly humorous work from Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Rajiv Joseph (Broadway’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) will embark on a national tour from 3rd September, with a strictly limited return season at Riverside Theatres from 12th to 14th September 2024.

Winner of the 2016 Obie Award for Best Play and the 2016 Lucille Lortel Winner for Best Play, Guards at the Taj is an exploration of beauty and power, autocracy and resistance, and of conflicting loyalties, where friendships are tested and broken by extreme circumstances.

Set in India in 1648, Guards at the Taj follows best friends and guards in Hindustani ruler Shah Jahan’s Imperial Army, Humayun and Babur. Humayun, a sternly loyal second-generation civil servant, feels compelled to follow orders to appease his father, whilst a sensitive and inquisitive Babur is more sceptical. Tasked with standing guard over the newly constructed Taj Mahal on the night before it is revealed to the world, guarding is the last thing on Babur’s mind, leading Humayun with him as instead they bicker, reminisce and daydream.

Subsequently, when they are both ordered to do the unthinkable, to ensure the beauty of the Taj Mahal is never rivalled, the stoic Humayun and imaginative Babur must confront what loyalty, friendship and following orders truly mean to them.

“I’m incredibly excited to be bringing this remarkable story and production back to audiences” said Director Bali Padda. “Guards at the Taj was my professional directing debut back in 2022 and it feels amazing to be touring it to all the amazing venues and audiences around Australia. I loved creating this production with NTofP and the exceptional creative team and cast. It was humbling, soul-fortifying, and slightly anxietyinducing. I can’t wait to bring Guards back to life with this hard-working and fabulous team so that audiences can soak it up again!”.

NTofP Executive and Creative Producer, Joanne Kee added, “We are thrilled to be bringing this production back for a national tour and look forward to audiences across the country enjoying this beautiful and resonant contemporary black comedy from Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Rajiv Joseph.”

Playwright: Rajiv Joseph Director: Bali Padda Cast: Akkshey Caplash and Idam Sondhi Costume and Set Designer: James Browne Lighting Designer: Kate Baldwin Sound Designer and Composer: Me-Lee Hay Stage Manager: Catie Murphy Production Manager: D. Andrew Potvin

GUARDS AT THE TAJ

Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th September Venue: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta Available from https://nationaltheatreofparramatta.com.au/show/guards-at-the-taj-2/ or from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399.

2024 TOUR DATES:

• Frankston Arts Centre
• 3 September
• The Concourse, Chatswood
• 6 September
• The Art House, Wyong
• 10 September
• Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
• 19-21 September.