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Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporter
POPULAR arts ensemble, Iyasa say their international tour is bearing fruits as they are being well received, with most of their shows sold out.
The 10-member group left Zimbabwe in March for a six-month tour, which entails a series of performances in Spain, France, Liechtenstein and Austria. The group will also visit Germany and Czech Republic before returning home in August. They’re in Vienna, Austria where the bulk of their shows are being staged.
Founder and director of the group, Nkululeko Innocent Dube said their latest production, Do you Jodel? among other productions had been well received. Do you Jodel?, a play produced by Austrian theatre house — Dschungel Wien, is a comic satire about life in Austria from a foreigner’s point of view. It is wholly based on Iyasa’s past experiences in Europe.
“‘The Do you Jodel?’ premiere was sold out and the production is receiving a good response from the public in Vienna.
“I think the people here are enjoying it because it tackles cultural issues and people’s way of life. It’s been received well by the young ones, probably because it features roles of Austria’s Euro vision Song contest winner Conchita Wurst,” Dube said.
He said the group which has theatre productions that seek to address issues related to moral decay due to globalisation was in Spain for the first time in April. They performed at two festivals and staged six shows.
“Spain has always been a great destination for arts especially from Africa. Performing there was overwhelming,” he said.
The director said they were honoured to be representing Zimbabwe’s art on an international platform.
“We’re excited to be representing our country through such international cooperation.
“I think it’s been proven beyond doubt that Zimbabwe has talent and we only need to create good platforms to showcase it.”
Other productions which the group is showcasing abroad are Sisonke, Africa Alive, Girafika, Amanzi and Schlaf Gut Susser Mond (Sleep well Sweet Moon).
“These are productions created over 10 years of international cooperation with Austria and still get a lot of bookings,” Dube said
Asked when the productions would be shown on the local market, Dube said they were working on the dates.
“Plans are underway to try and bring our international productions to Zimbabwe in the very near future. We’re on tour for about five months and our time in any country depends on how many engagements we’ve in that particular country so we’ll see when we come back home ,” he said.
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