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UNITED Kingdom-based actress and director, Enisia Mashusha, reckons social media skits have eclipsed the appeal of theatre plays.
Enisia, who passed through Amakhosi Theatre in Bulawayo, believes theatre practitioners should reinvent the wheel.
In a wide-ranging interview with H-Metro from her base in Leeds, Enisia challenged theatre gurus to save the genre.
“Social media skits have taken over the world by storm hence we do not see or hear about theatre plays anymore.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to move with the times, but let’s not forget that theatre is like a sporting event where people gather in a space and experience the same vibe, same input which lets your thoughts and emotions go on unpredictable roles together.
“Just being in one space really creates an environment that you don’t get when you watch skits from the comfort of your own home or space.
“We are seeing more of the social media skits because of lack of funding,” she said.
Enisia, who has demonstrated her versatility as a choreographer and songwriter, still has faith in the old guard to preserve the genre.
“Theatre producers Daves Guzha, Jason Mphepo, Daniel Maphosa, Raisedon Baya and Matesu Dube, just to name a few, are still consistent in improving the quality of theatre works regardless of the hardships of self-funding their projects.”
She, however, lamented the production costs, faced by local directors.
“I produced theatre plays when I was still in Zimbabwe which I self-funded, it wasn’t easy considering the fact that your cast will need transport allowances, food and investing in buying of the costumes and props.
“There is no way Zimbabwe theatre producers can be able to sustain this kind of input for long periods of time, that’s the reason why theatre is not as vibrant as it used to be decades ago when we still had funded productions.
“Producing a quality play needs proper funding, if our Government can support theatre arts then everything will fall in place.”
Enisia, who has also made a name for herself as the women rights defender, believes theatre should never be underestimated.
“Theatre plays a big role in our society, it educates, it heals, it’s a therapy on its own.
“If theatre is introduced to our children from a very tender age, just like how it was introduced to us, I’m very certain that our children will grow up understanding our culture and values.”
Online Reporter