Rajiv Joseph - interview

How are you finding Sydney?
I never have any idea what time it is or what day it is, but I came with a few buddies and we've been having a blast, just enjoying the warm weather and having a great time in the city.

Why write a play about origami?
I sat on the bus one day next to this woman who was doing origami. We got to talking and she told me that she teaches children origami. She mentioned that every once in a while, she'd come across a child who could see folds before they happen - those were her words. And I was kind of taken by that.

Why make the origami prodigy character an iPod-addicted Indian-American teenager?
My father is Indian, so it's a part of my life. When I include characters of an Indian background, I'm not making a commentary, I'm just reflecting the world that I know.

And what message does origami lend itself to in Animals Out of Paper?
With each new thing that happens to you, a new crease is created in your identity. And as those things accumulate, against your will sometimes, they form who you are.

But the play also gets hilarious.
I think all plays need to have humour, no matter what the topic. And when you're talking about a dramatic narrative, with conflict and people in situations that are tense or out of the ordinary, humour arises almost naturally.

How is it getting actors playing Suresh to do the rap scene?
It's always one of the great things in auditions for this play. You have to select people that can do it or can kind of get away with it, and then you have some people who just are totally incapable of doing it. It's just not in everyone's wheelhouse. But I'm excited to see [Sydney actor] Arka [Das] do it, I'm sure he's going to be great. Erin McNulty

Animals Out of Paper Ensemble Theatre until 24 Apr

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