Latest news with #GuruofChai
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Ten Years Of Art, Story And Spectacle: The 2025 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival Programme Has Landed
The 2025 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival programme has been officially unveiled, marking a milestone tenth year for one of the region's most anticipated cultural events. Taking place from 9 – 19 October across Hastings, Havelock North and Napier, the Festival will present live music, dance, theatre, circus and a range of visual art exhibitions and family-friendly events. Festival Director Jade Baker says the 2025 programme is a celebration of legacy and possibility. 'This year's Festival is a reflection of everything we've learned that the community loves, over the past ten years. But it's also a call to keep going.' 'Creativity bridges imagination and reality,' continues Ms Baker. 'It fuels problem solving, innovation, and connection and it deserves greater recognition in Aotearoa. The arts don't just enrich lives; they shape stronger, more resilient communities. They help us make sense of the world around us and remind us what it means to be human.' 'Whether it's your first time at the Festival or your tenth, we want everyone to feel welcome. There's something in the programme for every age, every price point, and every kind of curiosity,' says Baker. Headlining the Festival is Cirque Bon Bon – a glittering, high-energy circus spectacular fresh from sell-out shows across Australia. Other highlights include the return of internationally acclaimed soul singer Deva Mahal, bold new contemporary dance work Holding Ground by New Zealand Dance Company, critically acclaimed theatre pieces Hysterical and Guru of Chai, immersive jazz cabaret The Velvet Rebels, and an intimate indie-folk gig, Fables. The Festival also features a wide range of visual art, family-friendly events, and regionally rooted programming that reflects the creative spirit of Hawke's Bay. Mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazlehurst says the return of the Festival marks an exciting milestone for the region. 'It's a real pleasure to welcome the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival back to Heretaunga Hastings for its tenth anniversary. This event brings such vibrancy and creativity to our community, and it's wonderful to see it return with a programme that reflects the best of who we are. From performances at Toitoi: Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre to family events and exhibitions, the Festival offers something for everyone, and it plays an important role in strengthening the cultural life of our region. I encourage everyone to get out and support it.' Ms Baker encourages locals to plan their Festival early and get behind the arts this October. 'Come out for a night of laughter, music, story or spectacle. Bring your mates, book your tickets, and support the artists who inspire, challenge, and connect us. Some shows will sell fast - so get in early and be part of it.' The full programme is available to view on the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival website. Tickets will go sale 9.00am Thursday 31 July via and Eventfinda.
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Jacob Rajan's acclaimed ‘Guru of Chai' back in Whangārei
Despite his parents' wishes, Jacob Rajan followed his own career path into theatre. Photo / Robert Catto Born to Indian parents but raised in New Zealand, he describes his childhood as a 'whole big melting pot' absorbing a mix of British and American TV shows such as Cheers and Friends, along with British and American music. 'I was supposed to be a doctor because I was the son of Indian parents and was rail-roaded toward science,' he says. Although he gained a university degree, he says he was a 'terrible' science student and by then had discovered theatre so his worried parents bundled him off to teacher's college. There, he could hone his artistic side into teaching musical instruments and painting. Rajan describes himself as painfully shy as a child but it was his tutor's encouragement to take part in a workshop in a half-mask that was his 'eureka moment'. 'As soon as I put that mask on, the shy kid disappeared and I felt liberated, so that became my mission – to bring mask to the main stage.' Jacob Rajan believes theatre induces the imagination of the audience, inviting them to connect with a child-like sense of play. Photo / Robert Catto He subsequently became the first Indian graduate of Wellington's national drama school, founded Indian Ink with Justin Lewis 30 years ago and, since then, has written 12 plays. 'My compass was always directing me toward the arts. By the time I wrote my first play, my parents were resigned to this path that I'd chosen and, funnily enough, it's worked out, I provide for my family,' he says. 'I love my culture and I draw from it and I proudly show that on the stage.' Guru of Chai has been described as a true showcase of Rajan's unparalleled talent as he stars as a buck-toothed Guru, dispensing dubious spiritual wisdom while channelling 17 characters, including a poet, policeman and seven sisters. Featuring just himself and composer David Ward, who performs the live soundtrack on stage, Guru of Chai was directed by Justin Lewis, who co-wrote the show with Rajan. Jacob Rajan's performance will often have the audience in both laughter and tears. Photo / Robert Catto It went on to win NZ Play of the Year with Ward winning Composer of the Year and Rajan taking out Actor of the Year. It was then picked up by an American agent, which 'opened up America for us and became our big break'. The production, which draws from a classic Indian fairy tale, blending Indian storytelling with Western theatrics, has since toured extensively, including to the US, Canada, India and Australia. Rajan explains the return of Guru of Chai has come about because Indian Ink performed a sequel to the show called Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, which featured the same character but a different story. 'By the time we rolled that one out, there was a 10-year gap between the two and people had seen the second one but they hadn't seen the first one.' Guru of Chai features just Jacob Rajan and live music from composer David Ward. Photo / Robert Catto Rajan believes, unlike television, theatre encourages the audience to use their imaginations. 'I think theatre has its own magic source which is the imagination of the audience. The audience are being asked to imagine and think bigger than reality, the mask is larger than life so it's an invitation for the audience to connect with a child-like sense of play. Their imaginative power enables me to transport them to India. I'm just one guy but you will see an entire range of characters. 'There is a craft with being able to connect with the audience. It becomes a real communal act that's something you can't do with Netflix where you're just a voyeur but, with theatre, you're sharing the air and it's far more nourishing. You feel like you've had a real experience and that's what we intend to do. 'It will take away everything that's wrong with your life for one and a half hours.' Guru of Chai will be at Forum North on July 26 and 27. Tickets from Eventfinda.
