Sep 163 min read

Guards at the Taj - Riverside Theatre (NSW)

Written by Rajiv Joseph

Reviewed by Chanele Mao

National Theatre of Parramatta, Riverside

Season 12-14 September 2024

Tickets: https://nationaltheatreofparramatta.com.au/show/guards-at-the-taj-2/

A chilling exploration of the personal and moral costs that guards of the Taj Mahal pay in the name of duty, honour, and being true to yourself.

Guards at the Taj is a chilling and dark exploration of friendship, power, and authority, set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Set in 17th century India under the rule of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the play brings to life two ordinary guards tasked with protecting the Taj Mahal and the horrific fate that befalls them when they break the rules.

Guards at the Taj is written by American playwright, Rajiv Joseph, who was inspired by the stories and myths about the Taj Mahal when he visited India as a child. The myth at the heart of the play tells of Shah Jahan’s decree that the hands of all 20,000 artisans, stonemasons, and labourers who worked on the Taj Mahal were to be cut off, ensuring that nothing as beautiful would ever be built again.

Photography by Noni Carroll

The production opens with the sight of two beautiful, intricate bulbous panels that act as doors surrounding the Taj Mahal. Two royal guards, dressed in Mughal attire complete with bright blue sashes and satin shoes, enter the scene. Humayun (played by Idam Sondhi), the older and more rule-conscious, is already at his post, while the younger and dreamier, Babur (played by Akkshey Caplash) arrives late. The guards have strict instructions: to guard the Taj Mahal without looking at it. However, Babur's curiosity gets the better of him, and despite Humayun’s objections, both eventually gaze upon the magnificent structure and thus sealing their fate.

Guards at the Taj beautifully contrasts the ideals of friendship and brotherhood against power and authority. Humayun, who represents order and loyalty to the emperor, struggles to uphold the rules, while Babur, full of imagination and a zest for life, is more inclined to question them. Their friendship is most poignantly expressed when, after the hand-chopping ordeal, Babur—temporarily blinded—massages Humayun’s hands to help them connect amidst the horror.

James Browne’s set and costume design are visually striking. The guards' uniforms, in a royal blue, white, and gold palette, are stunningly fitting for their role of guarding the Taj. The transition from the magnificent backdrop of the Taj Mahal to the dark, dungeon-like space where the aftermath of the hand-chopping is revealed, is effective in showing how quickly circumstances can shift from light to darkness. The slippery bloodied floor is also a visceral reminder of how slippery life can be when one moment all is well, and the next all has fallen apart.

The opening night’s performance was marred by a few technical glitches and began 15 minutes late, but this did not detract from the gripping nature of the story. Without revealing too much, the ending of Guards at the Taj leaves you pondering the personal and moral costs these two men pay in the name of duty, honour, and being true to yourself. Guards at the Taj will linger in your mind long after the curtain fall. The play is currently touring nationally - don’t delay in seeing it!

Guards at the Taj is currently touring nationwide, including the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong from 19-21 September.