adminRaisedon Baya
I wanted to write a proper review for the school plays that were performed under the Isiphiwo Sami 1-2-3 Is One shows on the 19th and 20th May 2016. The main reason I wanted to write a proper review is because this year Bulawayo has had so many theatre shows and very few reviews of these shows. Yet reviews are the footprints of any production. The absence of theatre reviews disadvantages the productions as festivals, venues and even promoters tend to rely on reviews to make decisions about plays to promote way after these have been performed. So besides acting as records that particular performances took place and were seen, reviews also act as reference letters that may open up new opportunities for either the cast or the production itself.
The other reason I wanted to do a proper review is because I was personally involved with the pre-competition workshops where the theme was discussed and skills shared with the schools. Unfortunately, when the competition itself took place I was not around to see what the teachers and their students had done to the theme and skills shared this year. So a proper review of the winning three plays would have been the best form of assessment from me. However, this is not the review I wanted to write but perhaps a small discussion centred on the performances and what they represent for the future of theatre in schools.
Let me start by applauding the efforts of Iyasa and their partners Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust for the efforts in raising the standard of children’s theatre in Bulawayo schools. Yes, I can safely and without any doubt in my voice say theatre standards in Bulawayo schools are very high. I could have gone even further to say some of the young actresses and actors in schools, not all though, could give professional players a good run for their money.
But I will not go there this time because the last time it was said that comparison was lost in translation and in the process alienated a lot of professional theatre players. The big point though is that there is quality in the schools and it is a known fact that this quality is a direct result of the consistency of Isiphiwo Sami Competition, Intwasa/Plan High Schools Drama Competition, Nash competition and efforts from the likes of Nhimbe’s SPAA/CITT program and the school teachers themselves.
As expected the performances themselves were well executed. I liked the fact that all the three schools, Eveline Girls, Gifford Boys and Mzilikazi High used a fusion of different art forms to communicate their messages on the contentious theme of Age of Consent. I particularly liked the use of music. Gifford High’s music, because it was live and in your face, made their story feel closer. For years now Gifford High’s trademark continues to be the use of music in their drama pieces. Music continues to be one of their strengths. I was very surprised by Eveline Girls. They are known for something else but live music on stage.
However, it was a pleasant surprise to hear the girls singing. The girls had a good story centred on a girl’s misconception of what Age of Consent is all about. Mzilikazi High, now known for its use of theatre techniques and vivid imagery, told a painful story about the price many youths pay for early indulgence in sex. While the performances were good, however, and this is more important and a serious paradox — these should have been rated as adult content. Funny that we are saying that these plays by young people meant to be performed for young people were actually not suitable for their intended audiences. Here are some reasons why we say so:
– The use of a real coffin in one of the plays took away the innocence and playfulness of children’s theatre. We live in Africa where a lot of parents are very superstitious and uncomfortable around issues of death. Death has always been a mystery and something not many people feel comfortable around. Making children or young people play with or around a coffin was rather taking the theatre too serious and in the process emotionally burdening the children.
– A sex scene on stage is never a good idea. One school had a boy who almost climbed on top a girl live on stage. That scene was badly directed. I just wonder what the parents of the girl, if they were in the theatre, felt after watching the scene.
– The killing of the baby live on stage was too gruesome for young people and children.
– I got a feeling that the interpretation of the theme by schools seemed to suggest that the law on Age of Consent was encouraging girls to have sex once they get to 16 years. Is that what the law is saying or encouraging?
A post performance discussion with parents and members of the community who do not necessarily frequent competitions would have added serious value to the initiative. Perhaps next time this needs to be added.
But all in all the idea of presentation the three shows to the public was welcome and should be continued. These public shows are meant to be a window through which parents, friends and other theatre lovers get to see the young talent in schools — young talent that is always performing to each other during competition. Shows like 1-2-3 is One exposes the young talent to a bigger and more appreciative audience.
Online Reporter