adminMhlanga said this on Friday evening at Amakhosi Cultural Centre during the preview of his play Stitsha that is being directed by Qhube Productions.
Mhlanga said it was unnerving to note that there was lack of progress in the performing arts in the city.
“When I look at the type of performing arts that is going around and I look at the play I become afraid. It is as if there has not been growth in this sector in Bulawayo 23 years on since I wrote the play. It is as if I am watching Stitsha 23 years ago. Something has to change,” said Mhlanga.
Sihlangu Dlodlo, the director of Qhube Productions, said the whole week he was nervous about the reception that the play would get.
He admitted that there were parts that needed to be polished up in the play.
“I was nervous at how people would see the play, but it went well. I do admit that there are things that need to be worked on and people’s comments have been noted,” said Dlodlo.
He said Intombi zomqangala dancer, Qeqeshiwe Mntambo, now plays the lead role of Thuli, which was set aside for Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi, who is away on tour. Mkhwananzi is on tour in Europe, Egypt and South Africa for the next three months.
Zenzo Nyathi, popularly known as Mzambane, from Amakorokoza, plays Mopho, Thuli’s brother.
The play will be premiered on Wednesday until Sunday next week at Amakhosi Theatre.
Other comments from the crowd were on stage presence, voice projection, song selection and costumes as the major drawbacks of the play.
They also said there was a need for the actors to go back to their script and make the characters they play believable.
Overall they said the play was good to watch and brought back memories to some.
Stitsha is a play about a woman’s struggle to be recognised and listened to when she wants to produce a play.
Her father wants her to marry a rich businessman instead. Stitsha was aired on ZBCTV and was a hit on the national broadcaster.
The late Beatar Mangethe played the lead role Thuli during the airing on ZBCTV.
Mangethe died in June 2010, three months after the death of her husband and footballer, Lenny Gwata. She had acted in stage plays written by Cont Mhlanga, among them Hayaya ho, Mdawini, Don’t — Ungaqali, Chakwatu — Our Culture, Making a Difference, Hello and Goodbye, Lamuhla Kuyizolo, Unoma kaMafu and Stitsha.
She became famous for her role in local drama Hlengiwe Mntanami and had four albums Sizomlobola, Lithini Ngalezi, Ngeze Africa and Succeed.
Online Reporter