Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Bulawayo-based performers Dorcas Ngwenya and Nqobizitha Ncube of the Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa) are in Germany, set to perform in the international play Wie ist das Wetter?! (How is the Weather?). They are joined by Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube.
The production is a collaborative effort between Iyasa and the German ensemble Theatre Strahl, featuring cast members Natascha Manthe and Justus Verdenhalven. Performances are scheduled for September 16 and 19 at Theatre Strahl, promising a dynamic blend of storytelling, cultural exchange, and theatre artistry.
Conceived as a “radio play”, How is the Weather? connects Bulawayo and Berlin, offering audiences an emotional entry point into the pressing global issue of climate change. What makes the production particularly unique is that it has no prepared script, instead drawing on input from young people through workshops held in Zimbabwe and Germany.
The cast also incorporates their own experiences and research, creating a deeply personal and interactive performance.
“Audiences can expect something different, yet uniquely created. The play combines techniques from Germany and Zimbabwe, merging diverse styles into a compelling piece of art,” said Dube.
The play first premiered in May 2023 in Zimbabwe and later travelled to Berlin in June 2023, receiving acclaim for its innovative approach to engaging young people on climate issues.
Mathew Masinge