Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream

Written by Jacob Rajan & Justin Lewis
Starring Jacob Rajan & Jon Coddington
Directed by Justin Lewis

Having enchanted audiences in North America and at the Sydney Festival, The Court Theatre is delighted to welcome the latest production from legendary Aotearoa theatre company, Indian Ink: Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream.

Take a wild ride to paradise with Indian Ink’s powerful new play about impermanence—of life, love … and ice cream! This glorious production is inspired by Ernest Becker’s Pulitzer prize-winning book, Denial of Death, and the vibrant, life–filled chaos of India’s most cosmopolitan city, Mumbai.  Jacob Rajan delivers a dazzling solo performance as he channels seven characters, weaving the afterlife and a dash of Bollywood disco into the real-life mystery of India’s vanishing vultures. A man trying desperately to avoid death is flung between limbo and his past where a rebellious young woman holds the key that may guide him to paradise. Infused with serious laughter, exquisite puppetry and inspired sound design this show is guaranteed to melt your heart.

“Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream is surely the first play ever penned about both vultures and ice cream. It’s also about life, death, love, thwarted ambition, religion, moneylenders, and chai.” – Sydney Morning Herald

“The standing ovation at the end was well deserved.” – Fun! Fun! Vancouver

“Written by Jacob Rajan (who stars in it) and Justin Lewis (who directs it), and inspired by Ernest Becker’s The Denial of Death, it comes to Sydney Festival from New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre Company, the other key collaborator being the gifted Jon Coddington, who made and operates the disarmingly lifelike vulture.” – Sydney Morning Herald