Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
PRODUCERS of the one-hander “Molly Street” are thrilled to announce that their play has been nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Scotland, taking place from July 29 to August 25.
Led by veteran producer Peter Churu, the crew is set to hold 30 shows at the festival.
The play, which explores themes of passion, sexual assault and domestic violence, features talented actress Tsitsi Tenga as Molly, a sex worker. Its evocative soundtrack is provided by Patrick Tembo, enhancing the emotional depth of the production.
Set in the sugarcane plantations of Chiredzi in the 1950s, the story of Molly remains unresolved to this day. Claims of her ghost still roaming the area where she was killed continue to circulate. In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Churu expressed his elation as the one-hander embarks on an international tour.
“We feel honoured to be invited to the festival, where we will stage 30 shows from July 29 to August 25. It’s an honour as the story of Molly has gained global attention. Gender-based violence, which led to Molly’s death, is still prevalent worldwide,” stated Churu.
“I believe Molly now wants the world to know her story many years after her death. We have toured many parts of the country and South Africa, and now we are in Europe. This drives us to continue working hard and achieve greatness.” Churu revealed that he was surprised by the play’s feedback.
“To be honest, when we produced this play, we didn’t know it would become this popular. We treated it like any other play, but we are surprised by the response it has garnered, showing that we are touching people’s hearts,” he said.
Actress Tenga, who has been in the industry for more than a decade, was equally thrilled by the invitation. “Being invited to this festival is a significant step in my career as an actress.
“It seems God has opened new doors for me, and for me, it’s a dream come true. This will be my first time performing in Europe, and I know it will be challenging to perform before a different crowd that needs to relate to the story,” she emphasised.
Tenga firmly believes that the play gained global attention due to its themes.
“The story of Molly is one that people can easily relate to, especially regarding issues like rape and prostitution. I’ve noticed that people often break down whenever I perform this play. It’s an emotional experience that resonates with many who have endured abuse,” she stated.
The actress, who has been working with Churu for over a decade, is touched by the playwright’s humility.
“I can safely say Mr Churu has been an amazing figure in my life. He is like a father to me, and I am grateful that he has given me opportunities to shine as an actress. We started working on this project around 2017, and he has been pushing me to see it through, and finally, the play is taking its place,” she said.
Tenga, whose profile is now under the spotlight, is also looking beyond the 2025 Edinburgh Theatre Festival. “We have many projects lined up for the year, including various tours and new plays. However, my focus right now is on the 2025 Edinburgh Festival, where I will perform for the first time.”
Churu, a prominent name in theatre in Zimbabwe, toured South Africa with the play last year, performing at the Market Theatre for the Kaza Kambi Pan African Theatre Festival in Johannesburg. After the South African tour, the play was showcased in Harare. The one-hander brilliantly addresses social issues such as sexual assault, murder and poverty, highlighting the factors that push women into prostitution and the abuse they suffer at the hands of violent clients.
Although sex workers are often labelled as home-wreckers and criminals, many
