adminThere are a number of very significant developments in Zimbabwean theatre in 2011 that should be adequately appreciated not only buy the stakeholders in the theatre industry but also by arts and culture policy- makers because these aspects exhibit the critical potential for growing theatre industry’s capacity to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe especially in terms of employment creation, income generation, poverty alleviation and broad cultural development.
The first major success highlight of the 2011 theatre season which demonstrated the potential for a vibrant and viable theatre industry in Zimbabwe were the more than 25 new plays which were world premiered during the year. Those plays that have been included in this impressive list of new plays are those whose productions were reported in the media. Therefore, if one includes those new plays presented by community theatre groups, colleges and schools but were not reported by the media, our 2011 theatre production may even reach a 40 plays mark.
It should also be appreciated that it is also in 2011 that the print media in Zimbabwe warmly responded to its enormous task of making its clients aware of theatre productions they can access.
The electronic media is, however, still to find its crucial place in promoting the nation’s appreciation of what theatre products exist and can be sampled and where they are being presented.
Theatre in the Park in Harare hosted world premieres of six Rooftop Promotions’ productions of Patrick Chasaya’s “Sinners” and “Fists and Fingers”, Stephen Chifunyise’s “365” and “Indigenous, Indigenous, Indigenous,” “Ten Years from Now” which was co-authored by Raisedon Baya and Stephen Chifunyise and “The People” – an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “The Enemy of the People”. The presentation of these productions greatly enhanced the growing status of Theatre in the Park as the popular home of Zimbabwean theatre. Rooftop Promotions also hosted, at Theatre in the Park, seven other plays during the year which made its performance schedule host at least one different play a month. If all theatre venues in the country can attain such a healthy theatre presentation commitment, one can reasonably talk of a theatre industry in Zimbabwe.
Also significant was the world premiere of the Zimbabwean plays at the evergreen Harare International Festival of the Arts. The three plays which hogged the theatre lime- light in the year were Blessing Hungwe’s “Burn Mukwerekwere Burn” Sifiso Mabhena’s “The Comeback” and Christopher Mlalazi’s “Colour of Dreams”. These plays consolidated the value and contribution to Zimbabwean theatre by the Hifa Direct project where established British directors come to Zimbabwe to work with young Zimbabwean directors who then proceed to direct new Zimbabwean plays that are show-cased at Hifa.
The Jameson Hotel in Harare hosted a world premiere of Peter Churu’s “Beauty and the Ugly” as well as a play on the birth of Christ which was presented by celebrity disc jockeys of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Power FM Radio.
This theatre production that was patronised by young celebrity musicians proved beyond doubt that such Christmas pantomimes could a very viable theatre activity featuring celebrities and performed at bigger venues in order to accommodate the many curious fans of celebrities. The show also demonstrated how positive and motivating media publicity and promotion can help to build a viable theatre industry in Zimbabwe.
Prince Edward School Hall was on September 21 the venue for celebrations to mark International Peace Day. This auspicious occasion was used host the world premiere of “No Voices, No Choices” which was performed by actors from EdzaiIsu Theatre Productions and Zvido Zvevanhu Arts Ensemble. The play went on to be Zimbabwe’s successful entry into the Sadc Community Theatre Festival, which was held in Johannesburg in November. The Protest Arts International Festival, which was held in Harare, also hosted the world premiere of Savanna Trust’s production of Christopher Mlalazi’s “Fes’bhuku” which had a successful long run in Theatre in the Park in December to conclude Rooftop Promotions successful 2011 theatre season.
The Anglican Cathedral Hall in Harare also hosted a world premiere of Silvanos Mudzvova’s “The Confessor”, whose performance run was called off by police because Vhitori Entertainment – the producers of the show – were said to have failed to meet the National Arts Council registration requirements.
In Gweru, four new plays were world premiered at Midlands State University as productions by the students of theatre studies. Two of the plays were “Sekai”, that was created by the students and directed by Ephraim Vhutuza, and “Indosakusa” written and directed by Muchineripi Gwarinda. The other student production that was directed by Mandiedza Parichi and taken to the Dzimbabwe Arts Festival at Great Zimbabwe University was Ama Ata Aido’s ” Dilemma of a Ghost”.
The Beit Hall of the University of Zimbabwe in Harare also hosted world premieres of four plays that were presented by students of theatre studies.
These plays included “Macbeth: Oracle of the Weird Sisters”; “Nyaradzo – The Spirit of Nehanda”, “Graceland” and “Still He Stands”.
Other important developments in Zimbabwean theatre in 2011 will be discussed in next week’s column.
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