Where is the theatre association?
Zimbabwe is one of the greatest countries in Africa and the world over, its one country that is pregnant with hullabaloos, contradictions, opportunists, dictators feeding almost every news agency in the world with a story to tell and naturally feeding themselves with anything that comes across. This is a rare talent that most Zimbabweans have, its greatness thrust upon them to identify an opportunity, loophole or pothole and use it wisely – not necessarily the correct definition of ‘wise’ according to oxford dictionary.
From the political crisis/impasse, to the economic decline/decay, to humanitarian total collapse right through the inclusive government - a story has been told but one thing that has been given little notice is that Zimbabwe has the finest brains to plan strategize but explicitly the worst implementers. This has been one element that has immensely contributed to the collapse of the country as it has spread like cholera across the whole country leaving nothing but trail of untamed disaster.
In 2008 we had some theatre practitioners namely going around the country mobilizing for a theatre association that seeks to address burning issues affecting theatre practitioners. Actors and actresses who have been grossly affected by shortchanging producers were eager to see a body that will protect them and most importantly help the theatre fraternity grow shaping a new and sustainable future in Theatre arts. A noble idea indeed thought and initiated by prominent artists with a vision to set new inclinations. Read more
Vakomana Vaviri veZimbabwe
Athol Fugard recounts the story of how he got a visit from some black actors in East London in the sixties. They wanted his help and support to put on the Greek play ‘Antegone’ by Socrates. This led to his continued involvement with the actors in the black township of New Brighton. The play had very strong resonance with the residence and people of South Africa at that time. Classical Greek plays by their nature are quite spare of props and lend themselves to staging in bare settings. However the real leap happened because of the persistent police harassment when one of the actors was arrested before he could perform in the play. He ended up in Robben Island. There he finally got to realise his ambition by putting on a performance for the prison warders at year’s end. This was a custom in the prison that prisoners put on a fifteen minute performance once a year. He chose to focus on Antegone’s speech to the King Creon. He knew the whole play by heart. He created a performance around the speech with another prisoner. This is the play ‘The Island’. So the play ‘Antegone’ transmuted itself into ‘The Island’. This, in the best sense of the word, is the ‘township’ theatre.
When I went to see ‘Vakomana Vaviri veZimbabwe ‘ at the Oval Theatre, London, I was excited and feverish looking forward to a Zimbabwean interpretation of Shakespeare, even though I was intrigued by the choice. The play begins at a minibus rank somewhere in Zimbabwe. Read more
Formation of theatre association a fallacy
The arts industry in Zimbabwe is one that is thriving in some sections though generally low in many sections especially theatre. I must say I had an overwhelming anticipation of the consultative meetings that had been held around the country, consulting theatre practitioners if they see a need for a theatre association. This was organized by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe with the help of Global Arts Productions, chaired by Nicholas Moyo - Asst director for arts development and promotion.
I feel that many actors and other practitioners did not understand what it meant to have an association, the main confusion is on its role and how it will benefit artists, some think that it should subsidize their day to day activities while some take it as a retirement pension association that will look after them when they retire and grow older. Well I don’t want to dwell on this today but I feel it should be known that an association broadly looks at the formation of an industry that is viable and vibrant hence creates jobs for them to make money and not suffer for individuals who did not make hay whilst the sun shined. Read more
Danai Gurira to give theatre presentation
Danai Gurira pictured at the US premier of "The Visitor". Photo: Wire Image.
Creating and Performing Contemporary African Theatre & Film
A presentation by Danai Gurira based on the play “In the Continuum”
The Mannenberg Jazz Club
Fife Ave Mall
Wednesday 17 September 2008
5.30 for 6pm
Zimbabwean actress and playwright Danai Gurira, currently based in New York, visited home for ZIFF 2008. She joined their opening celebrations with the film ‘The Visitor’, in which she stars, and which won five film awards including the Best Supporting Actress Award for Gurira’s role at the 2008 edition of the Method Fest Independent Film Festival in California.
Courtesy of the US Embassy Public Affairs Section, Danai Gurira will make a presentation ‘Creating and Performing Contemporary African Theatre & Film’ at The Mannenberg Jazz Club on Wednesday 17 September, 5.30pm. It will be based on her own award-winning play ‘In the Continuum’, with excerpts from the play read by Danai and discussion to follow. The 5.30pm presentation at the Fife Avenue venue will focus on getting the HIV/Aids message across through theatre and other forms of the arts. Entrance is free and artists, groups, organisations and all people are welcome. Read more
