Review: Gripping Journey in GUARDS AT THE TAJ at ACT

I do love it, Dear Readers, when a show manages to thrill without the aid of elaborate sets or gimmicks. Where you can just immerse yourself in the words and performances. Such is the case with "Guards at the Taj" currently playing at ACT. That's not to say that the minimal set design from Brandon Estrella didn't work, it did. And there is one kind of unexpected prop that beautifully took over the stage at one point. But by then, we were so riveted by the stirring performances of the two actors in the show, even an elephant could have walked on stage I would have been focused on them.

Rajiv Joseph's play surrounds one of the many myths of the creation of the Taj Mahal. Here we have two best friends since childhood Humayun and Babur (Arjun Pande and Moises Castro). The two have been tasked with the dawn patrol of Taj Mahal in the days leading up to its grand unveiling to the world. But being the newest guards not only do they get the dawn patrol but they get the post that looks away from Taj Mahal and are not allowed to turn around and sneak a peek. But that's what happens for the new guys, you get the rotten jobs. But then an even more horrifying task comes their way that will shake these two to their cores and unfortunately, it's not the last horrifying thing they'll be asked to do.

Recipient of ACT Theatre's Kenan Fellowship in Directing, Samip Raval tackles this piece with grace and heart keeping the arc of these two guards mounting up one brick at a time leading to the harrowing climax or should I say climaxes. The pace of the show is spot on and Raval beautifully interweaves the horrible with the humor from Joseph's script. And the inclusion of some live musical accompaniment from Anil Prasad and Bodhi Michael truly made for an immersive and rich world.

But it's the performances of the guards that will steal your heart. Right from the start you can feel the camaraderie from these two friends, each with their own outlook that compliments the other's. The stalwart, by the book Humayun, played by Pande, had the more obvious arc as he deftly went from the stoic to the more jovial as opposed to Castro's Babur who's content with dreaming. But both actors manage some incredible arcs throughout the piece making them an absolute joy to watch. Pande is forceful with utter devotion to his job but still shows an underlying and somewhat stronger devotion to his friend. And Castro brings in the more buoyant moments which only makes his journey even more terrifyingly impressive in contrast.

Fantastic performances and engaging direction in a piece that's bound to stick with you makes for a great evening. And so, with my three letter rating system, I give "Guards at the Taj" at ACT a solid YAY. The show is just a bloody good time. (Sorry, I couldn't resist. You'll understand when you see it. And you should see it.)

"Guards at the Taj" performs at ACT through February 4th. For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre,org.

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