@showsiveseen Rajiv Joseph's "Guards at the Taj" #play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring @Kainkain & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (#sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (#tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. Review: showsiveseen.com/9807 Director: Samip Raval #showsiveseen #theatre #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia ♬ Taaza Hawa Lete Hain – Altaf Raja
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring Varun Kainth & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia
See it if you’re okay with 2-person shows with mostly dialogue.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two guards at the Taj Mahal grapple with enforcing the barbaric oppressive edicts of their authoritarian autocratic regime. In the end, they face the ultimate dilemma.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In 1648 India, two Imperial Guards watch from their post as the sun rises for the first time on the newly-completed Taj Mahal—an event that shakes their respective worlds. When they are ordered to perform an unthinkable task, the aftermath forces them to question the concepts of friendship, beauty, and duty, and changes them forever. GUARDS AT THE TAJ is one of Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s seminal works.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Weekend 9/14/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. This show closes on 10/6/24!
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Few
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few
Static (Stationary) Set? Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you’re familiar with Indian history. I was not and I kept wondering “Holy crap, did these historical events really happen?!”
Defined Plot/Storyline: It was more dialogue than story.
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 2
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium
Was there an intermission? No
Length (Including Any Intermission): Less than 90 minutes
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Low to medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
- Traditional Live Music: Sampada Bhalerao played the sitar while Jayant Bhopatkar played the tabla before the show and during the show. They also added some mild sound effects as well during the play.
Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Pratidhwani
Venue: ArtsWest
Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Price Range: $46
Dates: September 12 to October 6, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: There are paid lots and free street parking. I usually park on 44th or 45th Ave behind the theatre.
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Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.
