Balloon Dog Media Release

February 19th, 2026

INDIAN INK WORLD PREMIERE: A TIMELESS TALE, TOLD FOR NOW

Indian Ink Theatre Company Presents Hero Image for Balloon Dog. Yellow background with jacob Rajan on the left, Jehangir Homavazir in the middle and Alisha Jacob on the right

BALLOON DOG
Written by Jacob Rajan & Justin Lewis
Directed by Justin Lewis

Jacob Rajan MNZM is back on stage with the world premiere of Balloon Dog; a deeply affecting and timely new work inspired by one of India’s most beloved stories. Following a sell out preview season, this highly anticipated production from Indian Ink embarks on its Aotearoa tour to Whangārei, Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland from 16 May – 20 June.

Created by Indian Ink’s award-winning creative duo, Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, this production marks the twelfth theatre work the pair have made since co-founding the company almost 30 years ago. With Lewis directing and Rajan on stage, Balloon Dog brings together humour, heart, live original music and pure theatrical magic.

Would you open your door to a stranger? When a five year old girl befriends a lonely migrant worker her family unravels; opening them up to face uncomfortable truths about themselves… and the world beyond their front gate.

An adaptation of Kabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European Nobel laureate for Literature, Indian Ink swaps 1800s Calcutta for 21st century Auckland in a beautifully tender tale that reveals we’re more alike than we think. This production offers an intimate insight into the lives of migrant workers in Aotearoa, and the quiet ache that comes with parenthood. Revealing exploitation and resilience, Balloon Dog celebrates courage, grace, and our shared humanity. In true Ink style, it blends serious laughter with music and dance that lifts the room.

“Kabuliwala and Balloon Dog are both stories about seeing one another, even across the barriers of culture, class and circumstance. Like people everywhere, the stories are different – but they’re the same” says co-writer Jacob Rajan.

Joining Rajan on stage is recent Toi Whaakari graduate Alisha Jacob, in her professional theatre debut, and Jehangir Homavazir (Silo Theatre’s The First Prime Time Asian Sitcom, The Mourning After, Pop Up Globe’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), alongside musician and composer David Ward (Guru of Chai, Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream), creating music and foley live on stage.

In addition to long-term collaborators, John Verryt (set), Elizabeth Whiting (costumes), Jon Coddington (puppetry) and dramaturge Murray Edmond, the creative team also includes Assistant Director Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana (Ngāti Hikairo, Tainui) and Talia Pua as Assistant Designer, both former participants of Indian Ink’s Next Gen Programme. Tour Production Manager Sam Mence adds Lighting Design, with Indian Ink’s long-time General Manager, Jude Froude, as choreographer.

Easily one of Aotearoa’s most successful international touring theatre companies, this premiere tour of Balloon Dog will be followed by a season in Wollongong, with a further Sydney season still to be announced.

“Undeniably worth experiencing” – Red Raven

“A jewel of a play” – Theatreview

“Best piece of theatre I have seen in over a decade” – Audience member