Taking on a 17th century Indian play with topical themes
Anushka Senanayake: Keen to push the boundaries. Pic by Malaka Mp
A dark comedy with emphasis on the dark, this is an emotional rollercoaster that you’ll want to get on as. Theatre Junction presents ‘Guards at the Taj’, written by famed Indian playwright Rajiv Joseph and directed by Anushka Senanayake.
The play will go on the boards at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on February 21, 22 and 23 from 7.30 p.m. onwards, and will feature original music by Natasha Senanayake and Ridma Weerawardena, with Nandun Dissanayake and Eraj Gunewardena in the starring (and only) roles.
Guards at the Taj is a two-person play set in 1648 India, and follows the titular guards on duty the day before the Taj Mahal is unveiled to the public. After an event that irrevocably shakes their respective worlds, the two are forced to question everything from duty and loyalty to love and friendship.
“It’s a look at these two people who are at a particular station in their lives. They’re living in a society where there’s a very clear line of power. They know what their place is,” Anushka explains. In doing a job that requires standing still for hours, the conversation naturally takes many turns. As such, even the deepest philosophical ideas are explored in the gentlest of ways, making it so relatable that you forget the story is set in 1648.
What struck Anushka most was that we’re still grappling with the same issues centuries later, and that relatability is what shaped Theatre Junction’s interpretation. Though it is a period piece, you won’t see period costumes or sets. Instead, the set design has a contemporary feel, with abstract elements that encourage the audience to layer the scene with their own unique interpretations.
“This story is driven by the two actors, and I wanted to honour that,” Anushka says, adding that she didn’t want to distract from the story by hiding behind design elements.
Rehearsing has been a process of give and take both ways, and Anushka asserts that the two actors have been “a joy to work with!”. The seasoned actors slipped into their roles with much enthusiasm, despite the limited rehearsal period and the sheer volume of lines to learn.
“These two particular actors really work for this piece,” Anushka observes. Eraj has worked with Anushka many times before and was her first choice for the role. Though she only met Nandun a little over a month ago when rehearsals began, she knew him as a skilled and honest performer, and the trio collaborated well together from the get go.
“It’s so demanding on the two actors when it’s only the two of you to drive the whole thing. But it’s been a really good challenge for both of them, and they’re both extremely capable performers who very quickly rose up to that challenge.”
As a fan of Rajiv Joseph’s work, and having directed one of his other pieces in Ireland three years ago, Anushka was drawn to this play and had wanted to stage it for a while. In fact, it was the quick, contemporary style of Joseph’s dialogue in the play that influenced Anushka in her direction, and informed the stylistic choice to bridge the Mughal and modern eras together.
Not only does it showcase the fundamentals of theatre as an art form that is driven by the actors, the play also explores difficult themes and raises questions that are “extremely relevant to our time, to our country and to the world right now,” she says. The play is a juxtaposition of violence and calm, difficult topics and sharp humour.
The play will be accompanied by an original score and sound design by music director and composer Natasha Senanayake, with vocals by Ridhma Weerawardena. The score, like the rest of the production, is respectful of and inspired by elements of the time period the story is set in, while incorporating contemporary aspects. The directors also hope to incorporate surround sound to create an immersive theatre experience; a dimension that has not been previously explored in the local theatre scene.
This will be Theatre Junction’s first production since Cinderella in 2017, and Anushka was keen to stage a piece that will push the cast and designers out of their comfort zones.
The play contains strong language and violence. It is recommended for mature audiences.
Tickets priced at Rs. 3500, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1500 are available through the booking hotline on
077 2311 360. Follow Theatre Junction for more details at https://www.facebook.com/TheatreJunction