BALLOON DOG Comes to Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Presented by Merrigong Theatre

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

Eastern

Central

Western

West End

WEST END

UK Regional

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

TV/Movies

Music

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

Indian Ink Theatre Company's dramatic comedy adapts Rabindranath Tagore's classic tale KABULIWALA for the stage.

POPULAR

Get all the top news & discounts for Sydney & beyond.

Merrigong Theatre Company will present Indian Ink Theatre Company's Balloon Dog, a beautifully tender dramatic comedy by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis , from 1 – 5 July 2026, at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

Get all the top news & discounts for Sydney & beyond.

Aotearoa New Zealand's legendary Indian Ink Theatre Company will soon enthral Wollongong audiences in a story of humour, heart, live music and pure theatrical magic, revealing we're all more alike than we think.

From theatre maker and actor Jacob Rajan and director and co-writer Justin Lewis (the mastermind team behind the acclaimed Guru of Chai in Merrigong's 2023 season), Balloon Dog is a unique chance to see an internationally acclaimed company on a strictly limited Australian tour.

When a five-year-old girl befriends a lonely migrant worker, her family unravels, forcing them to face uncomfortable truths about themselves, and the world beyond their front gate.

1800s Calcutta becomes 21st Century Auckland in this stage adaptation of the classic story, Kabuliwala, from India's beloved Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore.

Founded by Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan 29 years ago, Indian Ink Theatre Company is one of Aotearoa's most successful theatre companies – winning 13 national and international awards, critical acclaim, standing ovations and sell out seasons.

Indian Ink Theatre Company creates vibrant, fresh, culturally diverse theatre that combines artful storytelling, mischievous wit and theatrical magic to celebrate differences and connect audiences through their shared humanity.

Co-writer and Performer Jacob Rajan said, “We are beyond excited to be returning to Wollongong. Guru of Chai was a blast and Balloon Dog is going to blow them away!”

Get an Alert Each Time Stephi Wild Writes

Videos

Australia - Sydney SHOWS

Recommended For You

Sign up for announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/sydney/article/BALLOON-DOG-to-Open-at-Illawarra-Performing-Arts-Centre-with-Merrigong-Theatre-Company-20260611)._