This deliciously dark comedy hit a nerve at the New Zealand International Festival, captivating audiences and selling out.
Albert is a dentist with a gift for easing others’ pain – but not his own. His long neglected passions are inflamed by a delicate operation on a young woman. In the process of straightening out her teeth will Albert straighten out his life? To complicate matters Albert is haunted by the ghost of William Kemmler, the first person to be executed in the electric chair – and who is encouraging him to make a rather personal extraction.
A brilliant ensemble cast, a live band and richly imaginative visual effects feature in Indian Ink’s trademark style of magical staging and storytelling.
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.
David is a musician and composer for theatre and film who has enjoyed a creative collaboration with Indian Ink for over 20 years; composing, performing and musically directing 8 of their shows since 2004. In 2010 and 2014 he was awarded “Most Outstanding Composer” at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for Guru of Chai and Kiss the Fish.
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.
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.
Technically, The Dentist’s Chair is an impressive mix of organic theatrical devices such as using Smith’s clarinet as the phone ring, through to precise video imagery to show what’s going on inside a patient’s head.
Indian Ink Theatre Company doesn’t rest on its laurels.
But this is just a stylistic veneer on a play which provides insights into problems about people – jealousy, fear of the known and unknown and an unnatural belief in God.
