The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Entertainment Correspondent —
THERE is need for local performing artists to join hands and resuscitate the arts industry in Mutare which has for the past decade fallen because of lack of support and unity yet it is endowed with abundant talent.
In a wide ranging interview, prominent artist, Daves Guzha who has wide experience in the theatre industry working on both sides of the stage and screen as actor, director, producer, administrator and social justice activist, feels a lot needs to be done to fully explore exceptional talent in the eastern border city.
Guzha who is also Rooftop Promotions director, spoke to The Weekender after the play, Lamentation @12 at Manica Post and Diamond Fm offices last Friday.
The play is an emotionally and mentally aesthetic rich piece of work which tackles on sexual, physical and emotional abuse of the girl child by the society among other themes.
The writer, Getrude Vimbai Munhamo and Dalma Chiwereva captivated the two organisations employees with some breathtaking, touching antics while presenting the emotional play through four epochs from 1895 to 2015.
“Mutare used to be a key player in the arts sector about a decade ago, particularly Courtauld Theatre. We used to have a touring schedule that would start from Harare passing through Marondera then Mutare.
What have brought us here primarily now is we are trying to reestablish theatre in Mutare, offer some artists some training as well as to prove a point that our relationship is not always between Harare and Bulawayo.
There is abundant talent here and there is need for us to nurture it and promote their works to Theatre in the Park. The artists themselves need to unite and help resuscitate theatre,” said Guzha.
Theatre in the Park is a project that simultaneously connects performance with its roots in traditional community spaces and develops a creative project in the centre of Harare.
The team is set to tour Zambia and Malawi, Nigeria, Mali and Moroco and Senegal before end of year as well as next year.
Guzha described their recent tour to Uganda as one of the most memorable after scores of people swarmed the Uganda National Theatre to watch the Lamentations @12 play.
“Imagine the theatre which occupies 475 people was packed to the brim. Some were even standing enjoying every minute, particularly young girls who came up with a lot of questions after the play. We have a busy year ahead of us but we will take some rest during the course of the year,” he added.
Guzha and his team last weekend conducted some training and staged Lamentations @12 at Courtauld Theatre among other centres across Mutare.
Theatre guru, Henry Tsopotsa described Guzha’s visit to Mutare as extremely beneficial and timely.
“Guzha’s visit was extremely beneficial to all of us. More than 27 performing artists attended the workshops as well as the play. We hope to unite and work towards resuscitating arts and theatre in Mutare,” he said.
In the play, Getrude chronicles being bedded by nine men and carrying out some arduous chores as payback for some murder ostensibly carried out by a long lost brother.
