‘Finding Temeraire’ to showcase power of healing at Intwasa

A 60-minute thought-provoking play titled Finding Temeraire by Harare-based Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre is set to be showcased at the Bulawayo Theatre on September 30 as part of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo.

The emotionally charged play, written by award-winning playwright, Stanley Makuwe and directed by Shingirai Manyengavana, promises to take audiences on a profound journey of struggle, redemption, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

It will delve into themes of guilt, trauma, seeking closure, forgiveness, and the plight of women in pregnancy out of marriage.

Makuwe said the play is centred around a woman, portrayed by Promise Munjoma, who will have completed a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of her newborn child.

As she embarks on a new chapter of her life, she realises that she must confront the man who impregnated her in order to find solace and move forward.

Returning to a once-thriving mining town where they had both lived and worked, she discovers that both the town and the man, played by Farirai Clarence Borerwe, have fallen into a state of decay.

The playwright, who was inspired by personal experiences, said he aims to spark important discussions and challenge societal norms through this production.

“I was born in a small mining town called Mashava in Masvingo. It was a beautiful vibrant town back in the day and when I visited the town a few years ago, I was shocked by its decay. I decided to write a play about a man who was one of the big bosses there and how he has gone down with the town and has remained a part of the decay,” Makuwe said.

He said he believes that the death of the town serves as a metaphor for the downfall of the human soul when neglected.

“The death of the town represents the downfall of the human soul if not well taken care of while the man himself is a representation of the destruction of something that he was a part of.”

One of the play’s central themes revolves around the unequal treatment of women in situations involving unwanted pregnancies.

“The biggest question from the play is, why is the woman the one that suffers the most when there is an unwanted child, while the man moves on with his life like nothing happened? Why does society persecute the woman and glorify the man in such situations?” quizzed Makuwe.

In relation to the broader themes of the Intwasa festival, Makuwe emphasised the importance of audience engagement. He said it is not solely about what the play can offer, but also what the audience can bring to the table. His hopes are that the Intwasa audience will actively participate in the play, contributing their own thoughts, ideas, and opinions to foster an exchange of perspectives.