An Indian Ink Theatre Company production
Balloon Dog
By Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis
Would you open your door to a stranger?
About Indian Ink Theatre Company
Founded by Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan almost 30 years ago, Indian Ink has become one of New Zealand’s most successful theatre companies. With 13 national and international awards, critical acclaim, standing ovations and sell-out seasons, their work has delighted and inspired audiences around the world. Since 1997, well over half a million people have had their lives enriched by Indian Ink’s original plays.
Together with a whānau of multi-talented artists, the company creates vibrant, culturally diverse theatre that blends artful storytelling, mischievous wit and theatrical magic — celebrating our differences while connecting us through our shared humanity.
A NOTE FROM JUSTIN
When Jacob shared Kabuliwala with me I was immediately struck by how relevant the story is to our modern world and how much my suburban home is like a walled compound in 19C Calcutta – minus the horses and servants!
Tagore puts himself at the centre of Kabuliwala as storyteller. His own concerns are the lens through which the man from Kabul is viewed and so the truth lands as a profound shock to him. It’s a story that reveals as much about the teller as his subject.
As I worked on the play, I was confronted with how easy it is for me to hide in the comfort of my bungalow and how hard it is to stay curious and open to others. The very thing I most enjoy about travel – getting to know people who live and think differently to me – seems the last thing I want at home.
Kabuliwala is a sideways look at the migrant worker experience, it’s about recognising our shared humanity and it’s about the ache that comes with being a parent. As a father, it speaks to my heart.
Adapting the story to 21C Auckland required some big shifts. The social structures are different, so we had to translate an Afghani fruit seller and the household of a wealthy Bengali writer into something more familiar. We also had to figure out how to realise Mini, the 5-year old girl at the heart of the story. We found our answer in Tagore’s storyteller and created a chorus of storytellers. Mini lives inside them – just as our children live inside us.
– Justin Lewis
A NOTE FROM JACOB
Many years ago, I joined a tour group in India — a busload of Kiwis amongst whom I’d been invited as a “guide,” supposedly the link between New Zealand and my ancient homeland. Thankfully, we had a real guide, Avi, to whom I happily deferred once it became clear I knew absolutely nothing.
One of my favourite memories of Avi was him overhearing a chat about theatre. When someone declared Shakespeare the greatest writer who ever lived Avi quietly muttered, “In English, maybe.” Nobody heard but me. It made me smile and wince at the same time.
Of course, he was right. There are songs, poems, stories and plays revered in languages English speakers will never be party to. Even when translated, something essential is lost.
So it is with Rabindranath Tagore. Though the first non-European Nobel laureate for Literature, his name still draws a blank in many Western circles. If you haven’t already, I’d love you to read his short story Kabuliwala – the inspiration for this play.
To understand our Kabuliwala in a modern New Zealand setting, I spoke with migrant workers. I’m grateful for their generosity. The harrowing truth of their struggles and exploitation are better served by journalism or documentary, but their courage and grace have deeply shaped this play.
Ultimately, Kabuliwala and Balloon Dog are both stories about seeing one another, even across the barriers of culture, class and circumstance. Like people everywhere, the stories are different – but they’re the same.
– Jacob Rajan
An artist living in Naarm (Melbourne)
Jacob is a founding partner of Indian Ink and co-wrote all of Indian Ink’s plays as well asperforming 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.
Katie Sfetkidis
A 2023 graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Alisha has performed in several theatreshows, notably The Birthday Girl and Mimic Another. She has also appeared in short films including Flowers of Eventide which she co-created. This will be Alisha’s professional debut with Indian Ink.
Byron J Scullin
A 2020 graduate of Toi Whaakari, Jehangir’s theatre portfolio includes The Mourning After, The First Prime Time Asian Sitcom (Silo) and recently Pop-Up Globe’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Film projects include Netflix’s Choose Love and Someday Shorts’ Ballsy. Jehangir is a proud Parsiand Zoroastrian and loves to share unique identities and stories.
He/They
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.
Sam is Director of ARC Productions and has worked on multiple Indian Ink shows, including lighting redesigns for Krishnan’s Dairy and Guru of Chai. A talented designer and stage technician, his specialty lies in musical theatre and building bespoke technical systems to amplify storytelling in new and creative ways.
Denni Francisco
Justin is a founding partner of Indian Ink. He has co-written and directed all of Indian Ink’s plays.He was one of the founders of Auckland’s Q Theatre and received a Kaupapa Oranga Award forservices to theatre. Justin is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School and the University of Auckland.
Chandler Connell
Murray has been dramaturge on all of Indian Ink’s productions. A poet and founder of Town and Country Players (NZ), and retired Professor/Head of Drama at the University of Auckland, Murray has been published multiple times.
Te Huamanuka is a writer, performer, producer and Indian Ink’s Next Gen Programme Leader. An award-winning playwright and recipient of CNZ’s Emerging Artist Award, Te Huamanuka is an advocate for indigenous storytelling, supporting rangatahi development and learning new skills.
John has worked on 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 NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, The Large Group and many others.
A theatre-maker whose work spans acting, writing, and puppetry, Talia added set design in 2023, under John Verryt’s mentorship, and has already designed for companies like Silo and Proudly Asian Theatre. Talia was a 2023 Indian Ink Next Genner and is a 2025 recipient of the Arts Foundation Springboard award for theatre.
Elizabeth has designed costumes for NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, NZ and Auckland Festivals, Silo, Court Theatre, Red Leap, Okareka Dance, Black Grace, Douglas Wright Dance, Michael Parmenter, Atamira, NZ Dance Company, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and Pop-UpTheatre London for Edinburgh Festival
Jon is a theatre designer and collaborator, illustrator, animator and sculptor, but has beenprimarily working as a puppeteer and puppet maker for the past eight years. Highlights include hit show Puppet Fiction (2012-18) selling out everywhere it has performed.
Jude has spent over 45 years working in the arts, as a professional dancer, choreographer, stage manager, producer, administrator and manager (including with Limbs Dance Co and Mercury Theatre). After 26 years at NZ Opera as Head of Artistic Administration, Jude joined Indian Ink as GM in June 2016.
| Jude Froude | General Manager |
| Pene Lister | Producer |
| Naomi Campion | Admin & Projects Manager |
| Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana | Next Gen Programme Leader |
| Artistic Director / CEO | Simon Hinton |
| General Manager | Rachel Francis |
| Executive Team Coordinator | Nicole McLennan |
| Artistic Development Manager | Leland Kean |
| Producer – New Works & Touring | Annie Clapton |
| First Nations Emerging Producer | Lillie Paton |
| First Nations Engagement Coordinator | Danielle Moylan |
| Director – Strangeways Ensemble | Anne-Louise Rentell |
| Artistic Associate – Artist Wellbeing | Bonnie Curtis |
| Program Manager | Penny Watts |
| Program Coordinator – Hirer Events | Dayna Huber & Jasmina Naumovski |
| Brand & Audience Strategy Manager | Amandine Durrant |
| Marketing Manager | Samantha Conridge |
| Marketing Coordinator – Artistic | Grace De Liseo |
| Marketing Coordinator – Digital Content | Mina Albert |
| Marketing Coordinator – Strategic & Development | Eileen Stapleton |
| Production & Technical Manager | Pip Rigter |
| Technical Lead | Elly Upsall |
| Senior Lighting Technician | Corey Potter |
| Technical Coordinator | Hayley Metcalf |
| Theatre Technician | Annika Bertinat |
| Facilities Coordinator | James Clarke |
| Box Office Manager | Linda Hanbury |
| Box Office Coordinator | Eliza Swan |
| Food & Beverage Services Manager | Kellie George |
| Food & Beverage Coordinator | Graeme McLuskey |
| Front of House Manager | Flynn Mapplebeck |
| Acting Front of House Manager | Jess Morris |
| Finance & Business Manager | Eleise Hale |
| Accounts Coordinator | Janki Dave & Jeannine Mulligan |
Key Information
To ensure patrons enjoy the performance, management asks you to note:
- Camera and mobile devices should not be used during the performance
- Switch off alarms and mobile phones prior to the performance
To ensure patrons enjoy the performance, management asks you to note:
• Camera and mobile devices should not be used during the performance
• Switch off alarms and mobile phones prior to the performance
The management reserves the right to refuse admission and ask patrons to leave, also to make any alterations to the cast which may be rendered necessary by illness of other unavoidable causes.
Patrons are advised that the ILLAWARRA PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE has an EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE, a FIRE ALARM system and EXIT passageways.
In case of an alert, patrons should remain calm, look for the closest GREEN EXIT sign, listen to and comply with directions given by the trained in-house attendants and move in an orderly fashion to the open spaces outside the building.
The Illawarra Performing Arts Centre is a company limited by guarantee and supported by Wollongong City Council.
Merrigong is dedicated to delivering experiences that are relevant and impactful to the diverse people of our region. We invest in a range of programs with community groups, schools and artists that deliver tangible outcomes through paid residencies, employment and the development of new theatre work.
There are many ways that you can support this work, from tax-deductible donations, to corporate partnerships, to becoming part of our team of highly-valued volunteers. Your contribution can help us build a brighter future for artists, audiences and our community.
