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Raisedon, Baya
Sekunjalo Ma Africa, the Chibuku Neshamwari 2016 national runners up, put up a theatrical show called “The Drum” last Friday at Bulawayo Theatre. I must say the young ensemble has its heart in the right place. The young cast is brave and has been consistent. Two qualities that may take them places. Last week’s performance was their third, if not fourth, this year.
They have put up successful shows at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo as well. With their positive attitude and young energy and enthusiasm the group is clearly destined to go far — in their case get a few tours to Europe, America and other parts of Africa. However, watching their performance last Friday it was very clear a lot still has to be done for them to catch the eyes of international tour promoters.
So many traditional acts in Bulawayo and surrounding areas were formed with the same dream — going overseas and making it big. Black Umfolosi did it. Siyaya Arts used to travel every year. Iyasa has made Europe their second home. But the rest have watched their dreams fizzle out into nothing. But then I digress. Let me get back to the performance.
The performance started late. It was billed for 6.30pm but started way after 7pm. The delay was mainly a result of the group trying to wait for the audience to make their way to the theatre. Artistes must learn to start their shows as advertised.
Audiences will learn to come on time once they know shows always start on the stated time. Sadly, the delay in starting came back to haunt the group as the venue managers decided to end the show abruptly as someone closed the curtains while the show was running. Secondly, there was something rough and unclear about their story. The title of the show was “The Drum”.
Somehow most of us went into the show expecting to hear a story about “The Drum”. The show turned out to be about the dances found in Zimbabwe. Now that story has been told again and again by different groups. Watching the play I had many moments of Déjà vu. That funny feeling that I have been here before, that I had seen the show or parts of it before.
As the show moved from one dance to another I remembered similar performances. Umkhathi Theatre Works had a play called Uhambo — The Journey about Zimbabwean dances. Hloseni Dance Ensemble had another similar play called Around Zimbabwe. Simunye Simunye had a similar concept too, though the title of the play now escapes me. The concept is now clichéd. It’s like every dance group that wants to tell a story has to tell the story of Zimbabwean dances through a narrator who explains each dance. My challenge, not only with Sekunjalo Ma Africa, but most dance groups please give our audiences something different, something new and fresh.
The third weakness was the obvious lack of research. For instance in explaining the rain dance, Hosana, the narrator in last week’s performance said the Njelele shrines in Matopo were just a few decades old. Obviously this is not true. While the dances in the first part of the play were explained Jerusalem Dance was not explained, and was badly done. There was something missing in the drums. The dance itself could have been done better. Choreography of the whole production need to improve. There were a lot of repetitions, especially on individual dances. Repetitions that only served to drag the movement of the story.
My last point will be on sound. Does the Bulawayo Theatre with its near perfect acoustics need extra sound and microphone?
Personally, I don’t think so, but I could be wrong. I found the way the microphones were hanged and placed around the theatre an eyesore. Sound people must think visually too. What setup is best for the audience as well? The way sound is usually set up shows that there was no prior planning. This is a challenge to all that use additional sound at the theatre. Be imaginative. Surprise the audience. Can the sound be there but not that visible?
In conclusion I believe Sekunjalo must be applauded for their bravery and consistency. We need more performances, not only at the theatre, but in all our communities.
Online Reporter