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Fingers”.
Sibenke said it was a matter of principle.
“I have come a long way as an actor but before that I was a civil servant. I started out as a teacher, then deputy headmaster and eventually became a headmaster.
“One thing that I would never do is to act against the Government. I learnt so much as a civil servant and no amount of money will make me shift from that principle,” Sibenke said.
He said he had been offered a contract in which he was going to earn as much as US$500 for the entire run of the play but he still turned down the offer.
“Of course, the money was good but my instincts told me not to go for it,” he said.
Daves Guzha, the producer of Rooftop Promotions, said Sibenke could not feature in “Fists and Fingers” because he had other commitments.
“He’s going to feature in the next production. On this particular one, ‘Fists and Fingers’, he had other commitments,” Guzha said.
According to the synopsis, the political satire is presented as a boxing championship match in which two contenders – Luga and Cee – have to face off.
“The championship fight turns into a nasty cold war. Just the mention of a high-profile fight ignites anticipation and excitement but when there is lack of trust between the clashing boxers, fans and even the referee, the result can be totally unexpected.
“The puzzle becomes more complicated when the reigning champion is prepared to do anything to retain his title, giving the challenger a chain of odds to conquer.”
The play was written by Patrick Chasaya, who thrilled theatre audiences with his insight into commercial sex workers’ world in the play “Sinners”.
According to Chasaya, the two boxers square up for a heavyweight championship’s “Diamond Belt” in a fight that is set in the imaginary city of Ramangwana.
“They share a lot of commonalities ahead of the fight and both admit that they need each other yet the ultimate goal – winning the championship – separates them.
“With the assistance and also criticism from a ‘fan’, mediator and facilitator in the fight, the boxers go through various preparatory stages that often expose them and make them realise that there is more to the fight than just exchanging blows.
“However, Luga, the title holder, seems reluctant to let go of his belt and openly shows that he would do whatever it takes, even beyond boxing rules, to remain the champion.
“Fans’ frank conduct towards the boxers awakens them to the reality that the ring will not be decisive on championship race.
“When they finally take to the ring, all hell breaks loose and the boxers face the unexpected.”
The play follows up on the success of previous productions that Rooftop Promotions has brought to Theatre in the Park this year, among them “Ganyau”, “Ten Years from Now”, “365” and “Burn Mukwerekwere Burn”.
Online Reporter