You’re the life of “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party”

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party by New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre Company, presented by TO Live, is not just a play that you go to the theatre to watch. 

It’s a party. A great party, whose hosts effortlessly and kindly thwart hesitation and inhibition by pulling you into an experience which is equal parts structure and serendipity, where you learn new things, enjoy new experiences, meet new people, and seal these cognitive and community connections with a lovely meal. 

From the moment you line up in the corridor leading into the Meridian Centre’s Greenwin Theatre, you’re no mere spectator. You are an integral piece of a communal jigsaw puzzle. So when you enter the theatre itself, you are greeted individually by the personable, endlessly enthusiastic James (Justin Rogers), who we will learn is garbed as King Mahabali from south Indian mythology. In his role as host, James chats warmly as he guides you efficiently to your seats and introduces you to your neighbours – all while checking in with those you pass along the way.  

Once all guests are seated, we learn the simple premise of Mrs. Krishnan’s Party. James is boarding with Mrs. Krishnan, who owns a shop out front. We audience members are paid guests in her backroom-turned-party venue, where –unbeknownst to her – James is holding a surprise party to celebrate the harvest festival of Onam. Of course, that party needs music, dancing, and food – all of which are jeopardized when a stressed Mrs. Krishnan (Kalyani Nagarajan)  unexpectedly finds you and hundreds of other expectant guests when she enters from the front of the store.

Over the course of the show, as she warms up to the idea of these festivities, so too does the audience, morphing from curious bystanders into active participants in this feast of life, laughter and lentils​​​​. Mrs. Krishnan’s Party stands out because of its seamless fusion of storytelling, comedy, improvisation, and live cooking – which generates music to tickle the ears; joy and sadness to tug at the heartstrings, and the tantalizing aromas of authentic Indian cuisine to tickle nostrils and taste buds.

Where audience participation in such shows is sometimes a feared obligation, here it becomes a cherished part of the experience. Some members of the audience will be called on by James or Mrs. Krishnan. They will be queried, responded to, and even pressed into service, becoming essential characters in the unique tapestry of the evening. You’ll remember – by name and with fondness –  these audience-mates, plus those those you sit and chat with. And other anonymous members of the audience will be so moved by the situations depicted in the show that they will call out suggestions and comforting words, or even spring into supportive action. In the end, the barriers among strangers and between performers and spectators will be dissolved, knitting everyone together in a vibrant tapestry of shared human connection​​. 

The genius of the production lies not just in the interactive format devised by writer-director Justin Lewis and writer Jacob Rajan, but in the depth and nuance that Nagarajan and Rogers bring to their roles. The stern Mrs. Krishnan, navigating the complexities of immigration, grief and resilience with an emergent sly humour; and James, with his boundless curiosity, zest for life and his own secret burden; form a bond with the audience that is as authentic as it is touching. The pair are gifted physical performers and improvisers, who – like we should all be, when we’re at a party – are curious about the unique individuals in the audience that night, and are delighted to interact with and celebrate them. Together, the duo teach us the story of Onam, and invite us into a world where the celebration of Onam becomes a metaphor for embracing life’s myriad flavors – the bitter, the sweet, the changing and evolving – and everything in between​​​​.

In a world where moments of genuine human connection are all too rare (even in the theatre),   Mrs. Krishnan’s Party reminds us that sometimes, all it takes to find a sense of belonging is a room full of strangers, a pot of dahl, and an open heart. So whether you’re a party animal who wants to sit at the Top Table or a wallflower more inclined to watch from the sidelines, this immersive show is a welcome invitation to let down your guard, to laugh and cry, to cook and eat – and most importantly, to celebrate the beauty of coming together as strangers and parting as friends​​​​.

Don’t miss Mrs. Krishnan’s Party. At first, the host will be surprised that you’re there, but don’t worry. She will warm up. And I guarantee you will savour this show’s unique tapestry of shared moments, memories and connection long after the meal with which the performance ends.

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party runs until March 24, 2023. ASL interpreted performance: Saturday, March 23 at 7:30pm. The performance will be ASL interpreted by Deaf performers Gaitrie Persaud-Killings and Robert Haughton and ASL-English interpreters Rhonda Kaassamani and Taigen Walton of Phoenix the Fire. Click here to reserve tickets.

© Scott Sneddon, SesayArts Magazine, 2024