adminLocal novelist Elinor Kennedy used a similar take to explore Zimbabwe’s cultural dynamics surrounding issues of marriage through theatre.
The play is a “one-woman” show were seasoned actress Privillage Mutendera successfully plays the demanding role of “drama queen” Mrs Mupasa.
With the help of sound engineers and just the right number of props on the stage, Mutendera single-handedly captures the attention of the audience in the 90-minute play.
“This is my first play and I wanted to do something different. In my experience working for the United Nations, I have realised that a lot of current theatre has been used mostly by non- governmental organisations to air humanitarian and advocacy issues,” said writer Kennedy.
In an effort to bring back “life” to the “dark” side being portrayed in theatre the world over according to Kennedy, the play is a breath of fresh air for people of all races.
The story is centred on the life of a widow, Mrs Mupasa, who will stop at nothing to give her only daughter the perfect white wedding. After having “graduated” into the leafy suburb of Borrowdale Brooke from the ghetto, she is eager to marry her daughter off to a cunning “Tendai” who she believes is into diamond mining.
A series of unfortunate events begin to unfold a day before the wedding. She learns of a close uncle’s death, but that is not enough to consider postponing the wedding.
Next, two women claim to be involved with the soon to be son-in-law. Again she chooses to sweep it under the carpet, but she reaches her cracking point when her home is chosen to be the venue for the uncle’s body viewing.
Just as she is thinking that the worst is over, another woman calls and she drops to the floor.
It marks the end of the first part of the act.
According to the writer, the remaining two parts are filled with more excitement and surprises.
The play was directed by Simbarashe Masusela.
Online Reporter