adminMonica Cheru-Mpambawashe Review Editor
The comedy “Where there’s a Will” which debuted at the Reps Theatre Upstairs at Belgravia on Thursday is a hilarious offering that does not seem to have attracted the crowds it deserves. A secretary at Reps admitted that the turnout could have been better than expected following a weekend of low attendance.
“It has been disappointing. We hope more people will come for the last three shows,” she said.
It is rather ironic considering that Zimbabweans are always moaning about the lack of quality entertainment that this show of talent should go unnoticed. Even if you never had much time for shows like “Waiting for God” and other old people comedies, “Where there is a will” should get your ribs cracking.
Set in an old people’s home in Harare, the plot centres around the “clients” and the “rather too involved” management. They give a new meaning to the phrase “hands on”.
An enterprising salesman who is truly Zimbabwean in so far as he seems to have cornered the market in coming up with the most unexpected products is thrown into the mix. To keep the spirit of Africa alive, there is some juju thrown into the works. The resultant twists and turns keep the audience rocking with laughter. Elinor Kennedy did a brilliant job on the lines and characters who all seem so familiar and totally believable even if a couple are rather typecast. Kennedy also produced the play.
“We are all getting older. Old age is something to look forward to and I can only hope that it will be as sunny as in the play,” Kennedy explained her inspiration in an interview with The Herald Review.
The play is from Simbeli Production. The house started three years ago with “My big fat Shona wedding” and has been quite prolific since. Other productions include “Good night Harare” which was at HIFA 2014 and HIFA 2015 offering “Sunrise” which is a comedy about getting tested for HIV.
Starring Sue Evans as the old lady, Larry Greef in a woman’s role, Privillage Netsai Mutendera as the maid, Roger Fairlie being the single man, Tanaka Vengere as the salesman and Simba Masusela as the home director, “Where there is a will” is a barrel of laughs and well worth catching before it ends this coming Saturday.
There is more fun in store at the theatre this summer with a musical “Movies Music Memories” running until mid-October. According to the poster the musical features music from the Rocky Horror Show, Top Gun, Flashdance, Hair and other productions. But perhaps the best is in store for aspiring actors and back stage crew. A statement from the theatre says that they will be auditioning for parts in a pantomime of Aladdin and chances are open for almost everyone.
“The director is looking for singers and actors from 10 years to 110 and also younger children for junior dancers. If you don’t want to go on stage, you can, of course, get involved backstage!” reads the statements.
The auditions are slotted for this Sunday with rehearsals starting soon after and the show running from December 3 to 20.
Online Reporter