adminArts Correspondent
National Arts Merit Award winner and veteran actress Sandra Chidawanyika-Goliath will this weekend make her directorial debut in a theatre production “No Good Friday”.
The play is part of Almasi Collaborative Arts’ nine-month director training programme meant to build capacity and develop the skills of Zimbabwean directors.
“No Good Friday” is a timeless play by Athol Fugard and although it is set in South Africa some decades ago it is clear that same issues faced by Black South Africans are the same issues faced by victims far beyond its geographical boundaries. All the characters in the play are victims of an economic system that demeans and alienates them.
It has all the ingredients of a love story and a tragedy. It has 11 characters including a passionate musician in his early 20s knocking on doors for the opportunity of a long awaited break, a young woman who realises that her dream to be married to the love of her life is not to be, and an ageing man dreaming for his child to rescue him from his financial struggles so he can retire with some decency.
In an interview, Chidawanyika-Goliath said she chose Fugard’s play for her directorial debut because she felt the themes were relevant to Zimbabwe.
“The story in the play carries with it many themes – love, dreams and murder – but the recurring theme for all the character is choices. It’s about ‘to dream big or not to dream at all’ and very relevant to Zimbabweans anywhere,” she said.
Almasi is a Zimbabwean American Dramatic Arts Collaborative Organisation founded by Danai Gurira and Patience Tawengwa. Its vision is to professionalise the dramatic arts industry in Zimbabwe through education, facilitation and collaboration with professional American dramatic artistes and artistic institu- tions.
It is its goal to see the Zimbabwean dramatic artiste developed to their fullest capacity, and to ensure that a legacy of great Zimbabwean dramatic works is ushered into fruition.
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