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Valerie Mpundu
Actress Jo Anne Chidochangu Tenga captivated the crowd with her performance as the ghost of Molly in a powerful class act display of Molly Street, a one-woman play.
Set in the 1960s, the storyline revolves around Molly, a well-known prostitute in Chiredzi, a small sugar plantation town in southern Zimbabwe.
In a crime of passion, Molly tragically dies at the hands of a jealous boyfriend.
Her spirit, however, returns to haunt and seek revenge, turning her story into a ghost legend.
The tale grew so notorious that the town authorities named a street after her, preserving her legacy in both life and death.
Taking the audience through her horrific death, Molly’s stage was befittingly set to complement the different scenes and roles she portrayed.
She was ably supported by Patrick Tembo on drums who gave a downbeat rhythm.
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According to the storyline, Molly was married off as a child to the village headman. Coming from a disadvantaged background, her parents gave in to greed.
Molly sets the pace in trembling agony, recalling how she was forced to abort her pregnancy at six weeks and was shattered to the extent of never experiencing the joys of motherhood.
The depth of her pain could be felt, while smoke screens and dimmed lights set the atmosphere.
Having gone through such trauma, Molly gave herself to the streets and it was not difficult for her to get any man she wanted as the belle was physically gifted.
Her ghost is believed to still be haunting the streets of Chiredzi as she seeks revenge on the man who prematurely ended her life.
After the play, the audience gave positive reviews and highlighted a few changes that need to be made to the play in terms of wardrobe setting and projection.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter