Interview opp: Bali Padda (‘Guards at the Taj’ national tour)

Just getting in touch to see if you would be interested in speaking with director Bali Padda ahead of the national tour of the critically acclaimed play Guards of the Taj which will be touring around Australia from the 3^rd September?

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 Humayan 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.

Bali, a multifaceted figure in the entertainment industry, excels as a director, producer, actor, and development executive. Notable directorial achievements include the acclaimed queer Bollywood drag theatre productions In the Space Between (Mardi Gras 2011) and Sunderella (Mardi Gras 2017). His diverse acting portfolio spans from London’s Festa! (Young Vic UK) to Sydney’s Jatinga (KXT & Bakehouse Theatre), showcasing his versatility on stage and screen in productions like STOMP’s Lost & Found Orchestra and various television appearances including Rake and Doctor Doctor. As a producer, Bali has contributed to projects like Lighten Up (Griffin Theatre Co) and Hats Off! Sydney. With a background as an Industry Development Executive at Screen Australia, Bali now advises on creative projects, industry strategy, diversity, equity, and talent development.

Would love to know your capacity to speak with Bali, and hopefully we can lock something in!