Indian Ink Theatre Company Explained

Indian Ink Theatre Company is a New Zealand theatre company founded by actor Jacob Rajan (b. 1966) and director/writer Justin Lewis (b. 1967).^[1] Founded in 1996, Indian Ink's first theatrical production was Krishnan's Dairy, which went on to win the Chapman Tripp Award for Production of the Year (1997). The following year Krishnan's Dairy presented in the bigger theatre Downstage Theatre and was so popular the season was extended by five shows.^[2] Over the years Indian Inks productions have been toured through New Zealand and overseas with presentations including Krishnan's Dairy, The Candlestick Maker, and The Pickle King.^[3] Their most recent production is Dirty Work: An Ode to Joy (2023).^[4]

Kiss the Fish (2013) was heavily influenced by Balinese masks and gamelan and Rajan and Lewis had studied in Indonesia. The original title of the play was Monkeys and Men.^[5]

Plays

• "Krishnan's Dairy", 1997
• "The Candlestickmaker", 2000
• "The Pickle King", 2002
• "The Dentist's Chair", 2008
• "Guru of Chai", 2010
• "Kiss the Fish", 2013
• "The Elephant Thief", 2015
• "Welcome to the Murder House", 2018
• "Mrs Krishnan's Party", 2019
• "Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream", 2021^[6]
• "Dirty Work: An Ode to Joy", 2023

Awards

• 1997: Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, Production of the Year: Krishnan's Dairy
• 1999: Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award: "Krishnan's Dairy"^[7]
• 2010: Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, New New Zealand Play of the Year: "The Pickle King"
• 2014: Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, New New Zealand Play of the Year: "Guru of Chai"

Further reading

• Forster, Michelanne and Vivienne Plumb (eds). "Twenty New Zealand Playwrights". Playmarket. Wellington, New Zealand. 2013.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jacob Rajan. 2021-01-22. Playmarket. en-US.
2. Book: Smythe, John. Downstage upfront : the first 40 years of New Zealand's longest-running professional theatre. Victoria University Press. 2004. 0-86473-489-1. Wellington, N.Z.. 60386677.
3. Book: Guest, Bill. Transitions : four decades of Toi Whakaari : New Zealand Drama School. Victoria University Press. Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School. 2010. 978-0-86473-642-0. Wellington [N.Z.]. 171. 669968400.
4. Web site: Indian Ink Theatre Company. Indian Ink Theatre Company. 18 August 2019.
5. News: Mead. Kate. 8 September 2013. Master of Arts. E32–33. Sunday Star Times.
6. Web site: Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream. 2021-08-05. Q Theatre. en-NZ.
7. Book: Laurie Atkinson . David O'Donnell . 978-0-908607-45-7 . en . 2013 . New Zealand . Playmarket . Playmarket 40: 40 years of playwriting in New Zealand.