Rebirth of street theatre

audiences.
Those with a sharp memory will recall how popular comedian Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima rose to stardom with his ever so popular street theatre performances before he crossed over to music.
One such theatre group that has taken public arenas by storm is none other than Budiriro Theatre Arts, whose brand of comedy has kept many people entertained on the streets of Harare.

The drama, titled “Bag Rabvaruka” and set to be released soon on video, uses humour to probe the intriguing case of women who rape men.
Written and directed by talented comedian Lloyd Kurima, the one hour 36 minute-long production also tackles a number of social issues among them the HIV and Aids pandemic, premarital affairs and domestic violence.
It tells the story of Mazepe (played by Peter Hlukula), who is raped by a gang of women on his way to work after they offer him a lift.
His young brother, Mabla (Lloyd Kurima), goes to the same spot with the intention of being raped too.

When no one comes, he decides to go back to the crime scene to try his luck for the second time and the rapists come, but this time around they are not female but men.
Mabla is sodomised by this group of men!
Kurima said the moral behind the drama was that both men and women were committing vices in society and the long arm of the law should deal with them accordingly.
“A lot of diseases have been spread through rape and sodomy and it is everyone’s role to denounce such acts,” he said.

The drama — which was recorded by Sights and Sounds International — was released last week and plans are underway to take it to ZTV for screening.
Kurima is not new in theatre circles.
He has also featured Jah Prayzah’s videos like “Sungano” and “Maria” which was voted ZTV’s Outstanding Video of the Year as well as the hit video “Gochi Gochi”.
He also doubles up as the musician’s co-ordinator.

Born on August 23, 1986 in Mbare, Kurima’s passion for acting first manifested itself while he was still at Budiriro 1 Primary school before further nurturing his talent into high school.

In 2000, the artiste joined Voice of Wisdom led by Tawanda Masarira popularly known as Kahembe in acting circles and together they ventured into street theatre.
This saw duo producing plays like “Mwana Dofo”, “Pastor Kahembe”, “Bag Remhosva” and “Vamwe Vanhu”.
Kurima then formed his own group — Budiriro Theatre Arts — last year after he split with Voice of Wisdom.