Matojeni Melo-Maniacs to make theatre debut in Austria

Local cultural ensemble Matojeni Melo-Maniacs are using their ongoing European tour to venture into new territory, with the group set to make its theatre debut in Austria next month.

The group, which is on a European tour showcasing Zimbabwean music, dance and culture, had its final concert at the Chiala Festival in Graz last week before turning its attention to a new theatre production.

Titled Amanzi – Wasser für Alle, the production will premiere at Reumanplatz, Austria, on September 10, marking a major shift for the ensemble, which has traditionally told stories through music and dance.

Matojeni Melo-Maniacs member Gugulethu Sibanda said the production was centred on water and follows a journey in search of the precious resource.

“Water is the main theme of the production. The theatre piece is, in essence, a journey of searching for water. We can’t give too much away at the moment,” she said.

The production was developed following a visit to Zimbabwe by its Austrian theatre director earlier this year. Sibanda said the director’s visit gave him a different perspective on the value of resources in different parts of the world, while his visit to Matobo also exposed him to Zimbabwe’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

“He also got a chance to visit places such as Matobo, where we explained that Njelele is located and where rain-making rituals were, and continue to be, performed,” she said.

The group has had to adapt to a different form of storytelling, with acting and other forms of movement being incorporated into its traditional music and dance.

“We’re breaking new ground with this production. We’re used to telling our stories through music and dance, but for the first time, we’re incorporating other forms of movement, including acting, to create an interesting and fun-filled story,” Sibanda said.

However, one of the challenges they have faced has been learning to communicate certain messages without words.

The production will nevertheless retain a strong Zimbabwean identity, with songs, dances, language and some props reflecting the country’s culture.
Sibanda said the theatre project was an extension of the group’s long-standing mission.

“Our aim has always been, and will continue to be, to share, preserve and promote our culture through music and dance, and now, through our new theatre production as well,” she said.

The group has had to juggle theatre rehearsals with its concert schedule during the European tour, but Sibanda said the demanding programme had not presented major difficulties.

“It was time-consuming, with us trying to juggle between our musical concert performances and theatre rehearsals, but I cannot really say we faced many difficulties,” she said.

Following the September 10 premiere, Matojeni Melo-Maniacs will stage several performances of the production in different parts of Vienna, Austria.