Everyone loves a good party and New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre Company is bringing an unforgettable one to the Moss Arts Center with its disarming new comedy, “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party.”

The center presents four performances of the joyful and open-hearted “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” on Jan. 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The performances will be held in the center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.

Mrs. Krishnan’s boarder, overzealous wannabe-DJ James, invites a few friends into the back room of Krishnan’s Dairy as a special surprise to celebrate the Hindu festival Onam and the return home of Mrs. Krishnan’s son. Although Mrs. Krishnan is thinking of selling the corner shop, around 100 strangers turn up (the audience), leaving her no choice but to throw the party of her life.

The audience members become the partygoers for these intimate and wildly engaging performances and are seated on the stage of the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, which is transformed into the back room of Krishnan’s Dairy. 

“Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” was written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, who founded the New Zealand-based theatre company in 1997. The team of long-term collaborators combines to make work that is beautiful, funny, sad, and true. The “serious laugh” (using laughter to open the audience to deeper themes) is central to the company’s approach, along with a love of mask and of story. The company blends western theatrical traditions with eastern flavors and has been critically acclaimed for its use of live music, heightened theatricality, humor, pathos, and great storytelling.

Indian Ink’s international successes include tours throughout Australia and the U.S., as well as sell-out seasons in Singapore, Germany, India, and the U.K. The company has won three Production of the Year awards and two Edinburgh Fringe First awards, as well as Best Play, Best Composer, and Best Actor at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. The company’s first three plays — "Krishnan’s Dairy,” “The Candlestickmaker,” and “The Pickle King” — have been collected in “The Trilogy Book,” published by Victoria University Press and are taught in secondary schools and university drama departments.

Related events

The center will present a matinee performance of “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” for students in sixth through 12th grades from schools in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke County, and Radford City.

Tickets

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $40 for premium seating (limited availability), and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.

While Virginia Tech students can always attend any Moss Arts Center performance for only $10, the center also offers free last-minute rush tickets for students who sign up for text notifications. To receive these notifications, text “arts” to 31996. Availability of rush tickets varies by performance and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last in the box office. Virginia Tech ID will be required for admission.

Parking

Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kacy McAllister at 540-231-5300 or email kmcallis@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to an event.

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