The concept of cooking a curry on stage is a fairly novel one but the Sydney Opera House has been a champion of experimental theatre for a long time and, in conjunction with Merrigong Theatre Company, it has produced one of the more unique theatre experiences in Joshua Hinton’s A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen (or How to Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry).

The play is essentially an hour-long exposition of Hinton’s life as he prepares his grandmother’s famous one-pot chicken curry through stories and visuals. Hinton immediately sets the scene through the words of his grandmother, exploring her journey from Iran to India before eventually arriving in Australia. The story is quite remarkable, moving through civil wars and persecution along the way. It’s a story not unlike many migrant stories but one that feels particularly powerful when it’s recounted and shared on stage.

As Hinton tells the story, with the help of his brother Dominic on sound, he begins preparing the chicken curry, accompanied by some wonderful visuals. The story is well constructed and showcases Hinton’s strong storytelling and character creation, really engendering empathy from the audience and bringing emotion and passion to the role as he draws the audience into his world.

Food is seen as a symbol of hospitality in many cultures and, indeed, this feels like a show of good faith from Hinton to his audience as the preparation of the curry serves as a point of connection in quite a clever way, giving the audience a tangible way to engage with the stories being shared. The visuals are also well considered, with Hinton using a map and a number of cameras to show the making of the curry, which works really effectively.

At its heart, this is also a story about belonging, with much of the narrative forming around the many questions and comments Hinton received growing up as he brought Indian and Persian food to school and was questioned about where he was from. These experiences provide a compelling insight into the complexities of navigating identity and heritage while growing up between cultures. He also shares some lovely stories about his English side of the family, including his grandfather, who was an actor and radio broadcaster in the 1970s. In doing so, Hinton conveys the love he received from both sides of his family and how these experiences helped make him who he is. Through the use of photographs and visuals, the audience are able to get to know these characters, even though it’s just one man on stage and this is something quite special, allowing Hinton to bring his family’s stories to life while keeping the focus firmly on his own journey.

Overall, this is a really unique show that feels warm and considered and is very well executed. By combining food, family history and questions of identity, Hinton creates a deeply personal experience that also speaks to broader questions of belonging. The audience feels connected to his story, meaning the show ultimately serves its purpose and serves it well. And to top things off, the audience was treated to delicious curry in the foyer, which was a lovely way to end the show and brought the experience full circle. Hinton is a storyteller with immense promise and if the show returns, it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen (or How to Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry) – Sydney Opera House – 17 October 2026

All photo credits: @byravyna_ravynajassani