adminpremiere of the Peter Churu-directed play “The Father” at NicozDiamond Theatre in Harare recently.
The play – that is an adaptation of August Strindberg’s production which was translated by Eivor Martinus – could not have come at a more opportune time than now when some couples are grappling with the contentious issue of paternity.
How many times have you heard couples embroiled in bitter wrangles over whether the child is their biological one, especially fathers, after suspected cases of infidelity would have cropped up?
This is what makes up the gist of the play that features a cast of some of Zimbabwe’s young acting talents in the form of Tinashe Chirisa, Yeukai Mhandu, Musawenkosi Saruro, Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi,
Rumbidzai Musarurwa, Rumbidzai Mungoni and Eddington Hatitongwe.
The Father (played by Tinashe Chirisa) is suspicious over whether he is the biological father of the child they have with his wife Laura (Yeukai Mhandu).
This nagging suspicion throws his mind into turmoil and affects him to the extent that Laura consults a psychiatrist worrying that the issue might have caused mental disorders.
The play also fuses comedy into the storyline when the father asks relevant questions about paternity albeit in a humourous way which leaves a church pastor – who happens to be his brother-in-law – who had come to counsel him – in a whirl of thoughts.
It is a play that brings to the fore issues of trust, fidelity and maturity in dealing with certain issues that people encounter in life.
Death through murder or suicide is often the end result in most of these cases like what happened to “The Father” who eventually dies.
The Swedish play is one of the most famous classic productions, and by directing and adapting it into the Zimbabwean set-up, Churu did a noble job as the play helps in addressing this emotive issue.
Churu also applauded the reopening of NicozDiamond Theatre that had been closed.
“This is a welcome development (reopening of the venue). We hope that more theatre avenues open their doors to the public,” Churu said.
Global Arts Trust in collaboration with the Integrationsteatern and Stockholm Improvisationteater supported by the Swedish Arts Council, will be taking the “The Father” on a tour around the country.
Some of the venues where the play is expected to be showcased include Rimuka Hall and Campbell Theatre in Kadoma, Charles Austin Theatre and Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo.
The play will also be showcased at Africa University and Courtauld Theatre in Mutare, Amakhosi Theatre and Small City Hall in Bulawayo and beyond the borders at the Festival de Augusto in Mozambique.
Online Reporter