Director — Bali Padda

Sunderella

Written by: Kunal Mirchandani
Produced and Developed by: Bali Padda, Kunal Mirchandani & Zeenat Parveen
Director: Bali Padda
Choreographer: Zeenat Parveen

Venue Partner: Monkey Baa via the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre
Audio Production: Loud & Clear Audio
Costume Partner: Swastik Institute of Dance
Special thanks to ACON Health, National Theatre of Parramatta and Opera Australia

PRESENTED BY TRIKONE AUSTRALIA AND BALI PADDA IN ASSOCIATION WITH SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE
After a sold-out season at the 2017 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, Sunderella is back to dazzle audiences - this time at the ARA Darling Quater Theatre for WorldPride Arts, part of the Sydney WorldPride festival. Set in 18th-century British India, Sunderella features a cast of 17 performers, in splendid costumes and jewels. The story follows Sundar, a pious and sweet-natured young man living with his evil stepmother and two self-centred stepsisters. But as the timeless fairytale goes, Sundar’s fortunes change when a celestial force “stirs the pot”, transforms him into a gorgeous woman called Sunderella and sends her prancing to the prince’s palace. There are dramatic scenes and sweeping dance sequences, comic characters and foot-tapping music. But at the end of the day, Sunderella is a heartrending story of love and acceptance.

2017 SEASON - Mardi Gras Festival 2017 @ PACT Erskineville
Produced and Developed By: Kunal Mirchandani, Bali Padda, Zeenat Parveen
Director: Bali Padda
Choreographer: Zeenat Parveen

“Comical yet tender, Sunderella contains both ironic humour and innocent romance, blended together for a delightful show catering to kids of all ages. Director Bali Padda imbues a delicious camp sensibility throughout the piece, and along with choreographer Zeenat Parveen, deliver something that shimmers reflexively, both on the surface, and from within its vivacious heart.”

Suzy Goes See

Sex Magick (mood reel)

Presented by Griffin Theatre Company in Association with Sydney WorldPride
Written by: Nicholas Brown
Co-Directors: Nicholas Brown & Declan Green
Cast: Blazey Best, Raj Labade, Stephen Madsen, Veshnu Narayanasamy, Mansoor Noor, Catherine Văn-Davies
www.griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on/sex-magick/

Mood Real Creative Team
Creative Director: Bali Padda
Director of Photography & Editor: David Boon

The brief was to creative an effective mood real to convey the sensuality, rhythms and thematics of the show.
Key ideas: Indian jungle, sex, sweat, breath, editorial fashion, 90s Calvin Klein, Melappadam, Kathakali.

Guards at the Taj

Written by Rajiv Joseph
Presented by National Theatre of Parramatta

What happens to a life-long friendship when two ordinary men are ordered to do the unthinkable?

At the grand opening of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful building in the world, the Emperor decrees that nothing more beautiful shall ever be built again. To ensure this, he orders two imperial guards to perform a horrendous task.

The guards are best friends. Humayun is a loyal civil servant with complete trust in the authorities, while Babur is a dreamer, and deeply distressed by the order that has been bestowed upon them. He plans a revenge that will put these two best friends at odds.

Featuring a heartbreakingly funny friendship put to the ultimate test and existential banter reminiscent of Beckett and Stoppard, Guards at the Taj mixes witty black comedy with the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy.

7 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

9 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

27 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

58 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

69 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

110 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

124 Guards at the Taj_Riverside Theatre Feb 24 2022_ Noni Carroll Photography.jpg

“Imagine the black-humoured banter of Waiting for Godot dressing the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy, and you are near the mark of this deeply disturbing and yet engrossing play, stunningly realised in a National Theatre of Parramatta production by first-time professional director Bali Padda... It’s not just that directorial debuts don’t come any stronger than this, few productions of any sort do.”

★★★★½
Sydney Morning Herald
“Focusing more on the emotional turmoil Humayun and Babur endure than the historical moment they are contributing to, a combination of powerful acting performances, subtly impactful production elements, and cohesive artistic direction make for a gripping and well-told story.”

★★★★
ArtsHub
“A great lie makes for dynamic and eventful storytelling, and a superb and entertaining ninety minute of live theatre.”

Sydney Arts Guide
“Bali Padda and his very talented cast and crew have made Rajiv Joseph’s messages clear – and done so in a production that is very carefully envisioned.”

Stage Whispers
“Bali Padda’s professional directorial debut is powerful - the early silliness of the guards' banter becomes darker and the suspense builds toward the horrifying outcome. The striking set design, coupled with the sound effects and music, evoked a powerful atmosphere full of dark menace... The National Theatre of Parramatta’s production of Guards at the Taj is a highly entertaining, disturbing and thought-provoking piece of theatre.”

Weekend Notes
“Guards At The Taj is touching, funny and potent. Directed by Bali Padda, the play is a captivating exploration of how far friendship can be pushed and the tension between duty and humanity.”

CityHub

Sunderella

Sex Magick (mood reel)

Guards at the Taj

“Focusing more on the emotional turmoil Humayun and Babur endure than the historical moment they are contributing to, a combination of powerful acting performances, subtly impactful production elements, and cohesive artistic direction make for a gripping and well-told story.”

“A great lie makes for dynamic and eventful storytelling, and a superb and entertaining ninety minute of live theatre.”

“Bali Padda and his very talented cast and crew have made Rajiv Joseph’s messages clear – and done so in a production that is very carefully envisioned.”

“Guards At The Taj is touching, funny and potent. Directed by Bali Padda, the play is a captivating exploration of how far friendship can be pushed and the tension between duty and humanity.”

Producer