TODAY is World Theatre Day, but while thespians the world over may be celebrating, there is not much to celebrate in Zimbabwe.
ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER
While there have been some really interesting productions from different producers like Savannah Trust’s Pub Stories: Tony Fights Tonight that won awards at the 2014 edition of the National Arts Merit Awards, the rest have been efforts of smaller individuals. With the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) around the corner, one can be forgiven to feel the programme that is yet to be released will be a representation of the demographics of the prevailing situation.
Since the closure of Rooftop Promotions’ Theatre in the Park at Harare Gardens in December 2012, Reps Theatre has been probably the only mainstream stage available with individual producers struggling to get space.
Chipawo has also been consistent, but it is worrying that close to a year-and-half not a single individual or organisation has come up with a workable initiative.
Hifa’s theatre consultant Elton Mujanana yesterday said financial constraints have always negatively affected theatre development. “I think there have always been financial challenges, but venues are a serious challenge,” said Mujanana. He, however, said the good thing is that community theatre remains vibrant to make sure the genre does not die. He also hailed the work that has been done by Masvingo Drama Circle in the past year to re-energise theatre in the city. Meanwhile, Rooftop Promotions today joins the world in celebrating theatre. In a statement yesterday, Rooftop announced that they are on course to opening a new theatre in Harare. The statement said the production company would be collaborating with the Zimbabwe German Society and Kuenda Productions on a new project that will be premiered at the new venue.
