Theatre’s pulse on the brink

regional and international theatre communities with world-class productions over its 17 years of existence.
“It is saddening to note that there are elements within the arts industry which are ganging up to push Theatre in the Park out of its traditional home, at one of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair gazebos.
“This uncalled for interference has affected the smooth flow of the theatre calendar throughout this season and therefore starving our clients of their much needed entertainment. As we write this, there are five productions behind schedule and actors’ livelihoods have been affected by the inconsistency in programming.
“The current show, ‘Comedy Fiesta’, might have the plug pulled under it as threats of closure persistently mount,” he said.
Although he could not be drawn into disclosing who the people were, Moyo alleged that there were people bent on destroying a legacy that had taken a lot of energy, sacrifice, sweat and commitment to build.
“While we should be focusing on ways of growing and expanding our theatre industry, there are those who feel that our contribution to this industry is meaningless and should be done away with,” he said.
In 1996, Daves Guzha, the producer of Rooftop Promotions with help of the Harare City Council, set up Theatre in the Park not only to be a theatre venue but an arts and cultural institution serving the Harare constituency and its surrounding areas.
This was done to match the arts industry, which had been given land to establish Amakhosi Theatre, which has grown to be an institution of great repute worldwide.
“We therefore call upon fellow artistes, the media, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, our beloved patrons and the City Fathers to make their voices heard on this unwarranted interference.
“We are circulating a petition, if it comes to you please append your signature,” Moyo said.
Guzha founded Theatre in the Park in 1996, as a stand-alone brand managed by Rooftop Promotions, which had been started in 1986.
Since its inception, the venue has been key to playing a catalyst role where people come and air their views without fear.
Located in the Harare Gardens, Theatre in the Park is a model of professional theatre, hosting an array of plays from different writers, production houses, directors and independent producers.
Modelled around the concept of Dare/Enkundleni Theatre in the Park officially opened its doors to the public in March 1996, with the first show “Strange Bedfellows”.
In order to fulfil its mandate of ensuring that it does contribute positively to the rapid growth of theatre in Zimbabwe, the venue introduced a quota system with the managers, Rooftop Promotions, doing a cumulative total of three shows per year.
Seven were to come from other local production houses, three from Sadc member states and two from European countries.
It has become a household name that has been playing an active role in tackling human right issues, while giving budding artistes an opportunity to grow and discover themselves.
Until then, theatre was either limited to small social groups, or was dominated by amateurs in the Repertory Theatres like Reps, Courtauld Hall in Mutare, Masvingo Drama Circle, Bulawayo Theatre, Hwange Little Theatre and Kadoma Campbell Theatre.
For the venues that were dabbling in theatre within central Harare, their core business was never theatre and they occasionally did host a show or two.
These included Gallery Delta (first located in Nelson Mandela and now at Robert Paul’s Old House next to David Livingstone School), British Council first in Stanley Avenue (now George Silundika), Anglican Cathedral Hall, Shell Theatre (now Nicoz Diamond Theatre).
During the decade of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown, Rooftop Promotions upped the number of performances it had to do in order to keep the venue alive as very little work was coming from other players in the industry.
To date, the venue has played host to over 260 productions over 60 percent of which have been world premieres at national, regional as well as international level.
The venue has become the nerve centre of professional theatre in Zimbabwe and highly respected regionally as well as internationally and unquestionably it is the Zimbabwean actor’s highest achievement in terms of performance space.
Some of the countries, production houses and individuals that have showcased their work in this venue are: Sweden (Kesseloski and Fiske), Zambia, Norway (National Theatre), Burkina Faso, Germany, Thailand, South Africa (Market Theatre), Amakhosi, Dawn Parkinson, Bart Wolffe, Cont Mhlanga, Dr John Kani, Helge Skoog, Kathleen Mcreery, Walter Muparutsa (late), Mackey Tickeys (late), Mncedisi Shabangu and the late Augustine Lungu.
For the Zimbabwean public at large, it provides a pulse in terms of the country’s social, political and economic position as its works are emblematic of who we are.