This comedy celebrates an unsung hero and tips the modern office on its head.
In a toe-tapping twist there’s a different choir on stage every night, but none have read the script!
Featuring contemporary hits from Aotearoa, India and a fresh take on classic tunes, this hilarious drama is elevated by the beauty and power of people harmonising in song.
The computers are down and the big boss in India wants the impossible. A hapless middle manager, his unhelpful assistant and their chorus of office workers are making a mess of things. Which isn’t good news for the cleaner.
Workplace hierarchies are shattered, class and culture clash and from the chaos emerges a different way to value one another.
Born out of a collaboration with choral master John Rosser and leading choir Viva Voce, and featuring over 20 people on stage, Indian Ink take things up an octave in their biggest show ever.
The company’s award-winning creative team continue to weave their magic. Jacob Rajan zooms in for a very special guest appearance, Justin Rogers returns following his brilliant performance in Mrs Krishnan’s Party and is joined by rising stars Tessa Rao and Catherine Yates, with music direction by Josh Clark.
Don’t miss this world première that finds joy in the eternal toil of work.
RUN TIME: 80 minutes (no interval)
Justin is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. Justin has enjoyed working across stage and screen with highlights including Shortland Street: The Musical, The Cherry Orchard, The Master Builder as well as film projects To the Other Side and Get Plugged. Justin is also a magician and magic consultant for theatre.
Since graduating from Unitec, Catherine has worked across stage and screen with highlights including Tender (HERE & NOW), Mackenzie’s Daughters, Lust Island, as well as screen projects Wellington Paranormal and the latest Grab a Seat series campaign.
This will be Catherine’s debut production with Indian Ink Theatre Company.
Tessa is a New Zealand actress of European and Indian descent who just finished her second season as the Green Ranger on Netflix’s Power Rangers Dino Fury. A multi-disciplinary writer, singer/songwriter and musician, Tessa trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has been working in film and theatre in both the US and New Zealand since.
Josh Clark is a singer, pianist, conductor, arranger & composer from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Throughout his career he has worked on a number of major professional NZ theatre productions including Billy Elliot, CATS: New Zealand National Tour and ONCE the Musical. He currently works as the Marketing & Audience Development Coordinator for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Sam is the Director of Creative Ambiance Stage Technologies Ltd (CASTL). A talented stage technician, he’s worked in design, management, setup and operation of multiple live performances, including Art Installations, Opera, Theatre, Dance, Circus and all manner of music concerts.
Originally from Whangārei, Luke moved to Wellington to study acting at Toi Whakaari. After graduating in 2017 he’s worked as a producer, arts manager and actor in film, TV and theatre. He keeps himself busy writing music, cooking elaborate meals, and now learning to stage manage.
Justin is a founding partner of Indian Ink. He has co-written and directed all of Indian Ink’s plays. He is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School and the University of Auckland.
Justin was one of the founders of Auckland’s Q Theatre and received a Kaupapa Oranga Award for his services to theatre.
Jacob is a founding partner of Indian Ink and co-wrote all of Indian Ink’s plays as well as performing in many of them. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama school, Otago University (B.Sc Microbiology) and Wellington Teacher’s College. Jacob is an Arts Foundation Laureate and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to theatre.
Dramaturge for all of Indian Ink’s productions. Poet, critic and fiction writer, Murray has published many books. Worked for Living Theatre Troupe, Theatre Action, Half Moon Theatre (London), Town and Country Players (founder), and Mercury Theatre. Associate Professor (now retired) of Drama Programmes at Auckland University (1990-2014).
John has designed all of Indian Ink’s productions bar one. With over 40 years’ experience, John is a leading New Zealand stage designer with an extensive portfolio of work including productions with NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre, The Large Group and many others.
Elizabeth has designed costumes for New Zealand Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, NZ Festival and Auckland Festival, Silo, Court Theatre, Red Leap and Okareka Dance, Black Grace, Douglas Wright Dance, Michael Parmenter, Atimira, NZ Dance Company and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She designed costumes for Pop-Up Theatre London for Edinburgh Festival.
Jo first worked with Indian Ink designing The Pickle King in 2002. Recent lighting designs include Waiwhakaata (Eddie Elliott); Dawn Raids, The Life of Galileo, The Haka Party Incident, (Auckland Theatre Company); Don Giovanni (Wellington Opera); Semele (NZ Opera); Uku: Behind The Canvas, The Fibonacci (New Zealand Dance Company)
Known for his work with Auckland chamber choir Viva Voce and the NZ Opera Chorus, John was inaugural chair of the NZ Choral Federation and directs The Big Sing and Sing Aotearoa. He was Artistic Director of the 2020 World Symposium on Choral Music and will head up the World Choir Games in 2024. A member of the International Choral Federation Board and the World Choir Council, John was recently awarded a CNZM for services to choral music.
“It holds a mirror up to ourselves and gives a message we don’t often think about enough,” Rao says.
It’s a straightforward plot. An office full of largely anonymous workers support a larger offshore company by providing business-related (mostly financial) services.
It is a truly heartwarming and well-made show that I guarantee will make you smile.
