After almost two months of a mid-year break, Theatre in The Park returns on September 6 with a play titled Fists and Fingers.
The play, which is a comedy of errors fully loaded with satire, absurdity and laughter, is the latest offering from young writer Patrick Chasaya of Sinners? fame and is expertly handled by award-winning director Patience Gamu Tawengwa and produced by Daves Guzha for Rooftop Promotions.
Fists and Fingers uncovers the follies of humankind and power, where power makes people forget their original intentions.
A city called Ramangwana is about to witness a historic heavyweight championship fight pitting Luga, a defending champion who has held the title for many years, and Cee, a promising challenger who believes his wit will make him the next champ.
Besides the “Diamond Belt” at stake the boxers have many other motives to fight. For Luga, chances of retaining the championship are on a string because he might soon be unable to fight due to the sport’s age limit while Cee is aware that his stable will not give him another chance to fight if he loses this battle.
They are both sandwiched between fear and uncertainty yet the lure of the belt and the title push them to face each other in the ring.
The build-up to the fight raises anticipation of a blockbuster battle and the ultimate outcome is a complete surprise package. The third character in the play Fan, plays alternating roles that expose the boxers’ weaknesses and he takes them to task over their fight and its entire meaning.
Fan’s frank conduct towards the boxers awakens them to the reality that that ring will not be decisive on championship race.
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While Fists and Fingers is centred on a heavyweight boxing championship, it is pregnant with many other issues.
The puzzle becomes more complicated when the reigning champion is prepared to do anything to retain his title, giving the challenger a chain of odds to conquer.
This is a political satire that effectively tackles the ongoing political disputes in Zimbabwe. In the end people don’t even know who to turn to.
Zimbabweans are now all too familiar with the antics of some politicians who will not accept a challenge from those within their own ranks. It is only Fan, who can effectively describe Luga’s modus operandi.
He says of Luga: “is a veteran of many battles, though few will agree to this. He has held this title since the beginning of this competition in this country. He has defeated many competitors by hook and crook.”
The play is one of the many exciting productions that Rooftop Promotions has brought to Theatre in The Park this year, among them Ganyu, Ten Years from Now, 365 and Burn Mukwerekwere Burn.
