Riverside’s National theater of Parramatta to present enthralling dark comedy guards at the Taj

Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) is proud to present Guards at the Taj, a heartbreakingly
funny work from Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Rajiv Joseph (Broadway’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad
Zoo), at Riverside Theatres from 24 February to 5 March, 2022.

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 conflicting loyalties, where
friendships are tested and broken by extreme and brutal 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. They bicker, reminisce about jungle escapades, and have the dubious
privilege of standing guard over the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan’s epic tribute to his dead wife, the night before
it is revealed to the world as the most potent and powerful personification of beauty.

Humayun, sternly loyal second-generation civil servant, is content to follow orders, even when the
Emperor, determined that no object more beautiful than the Taj Mahal should ever be built again, has the
guards carry out a horrifying task. But sensitive Babur, an imaginative inventor, can only come to terms
with the destruction of beauty if he exacts his own powerful vengeance.

Director, Bali Padda said “I can’t wait for audiences to see Guards at the Taj, where they will be drawn into
the microscopic details of an intimate friendship set against beauty and brutality. Rajiv Joseph’s writing is
incredible and it’s such a privilege to direct Idam Sondhi and Akkshey Caplash. They are exciting ones to
watch! I feel incredibly lucky to work with NTofP and an amazing creative crew, especially on this play.”

NTofP Executive Producer, Joanne Kee added, “I am so thrilled to be working with Bali and for him to be
directing this incredible play back to his Western Sydney community. When we did our auditions, the depth
of the talent blew us away. Both Bali and I are so excited to be presenting Idam and Akkshey for their
Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta debut.

We’re sure you’ll be seeing more of them in the future.”
Playwright: Rajiv Joseph Director: Bali Padda Cast: Akkshey Caplash, Idam Sondhi
Artistic Associate: Darren Yap Costume and Set Designer: James Browne Lighting: Kate Baldwin
Sound: Me-Lee Hay Creative Futures: Rita Naidu Stage Manager: Daniel Cottier

GUARDS AT THE TAJ

24 February to 5 March, 2022
Venue: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Tickets $39. Available from https://riversideparramatta.com.au/ or from the Box Office (02) 8839 3399.
Transaction fees: $4.60

Riverside Theatres is a registered COVID Safe venue, please check the website for up-to-date COVID
safe practices, ticket information and refund policies.

For further information on the performances and tickets to all shows, visit:
https://riversideparramatta.com.au/NTofP