New play at Old Mutual Theatre

Guzha of Rooftop Promotions, the three-hander also stars John Pfumojena and Silvanos Mudzvova.
The play is about two university students whose relationship is challenged by the past.

Chipo, played by Nyaradzo, is a traditional girl who believes that “virginity is dignity” and revolves around her ability to abstain from sex.
She, however, faces myriad challenges among them peer pressure and sex talk everywhere.

How Chipo overcomes all these pressures becomes the focal point of the play as true love is being put to test.
On the other hand, Darlington Zimuto played by Mudzvova is a filthy rich businessman who uses his wealth to win any woman he likes. Will his riches entice Chipo so that he gets what he wants? Well, I won’t say more.

This is Nyaradzo’s first time to star in a major play although she once acted in “Pub Stories/Tony Fights Tonight” by the late Dambudzo Marechera which premièred at the Harare International Festival of the Arts.

She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Zimbabwe and graduated last year.
The 22-year-old beauty says she is excited to be part of the cast and working with Guzha.
“Well, he (Guzha) is a seasoned director, working with him was such an honour and privilege since he gave me the room to explore and express myself fully,” she said with a chuckle.

Mudzvova, who is no newcomer to the stage, jokingly said he hates working with the same director.
“The challenge is that they demand more from you and they want to see a change in characters which is something that comes with experience.

“However, I enjoy working with newcomers like Nyaradzo because you want to explore other things but you’re not sure of how they react after that but that makes it fun.
“Basically, taking up new roles is not that easy but we always try and do things differently so that there is a difference between your previous role and the latest,” he said.

Asked what he liked most about starring in the upcoming play, Mudzvova hailed Chifunyise for writing a different script.
“This is a serious story which draws much from day- to-day life and what is really exciting is that Chifunyise didn’t bring politicians into the cast but instead we have a proper businessman and it is role which I relish the most,” Mudzvova said.
He said as a director, he also enjoyed working with other directors in the mould of Guzha.