THEATRE lovers were on Friday night treated to a unique presentation that challenged existing modes of theatre when the drama, Chirorodziva, premiered at the University of Zimbabwe’s Beit Hall.
BY TAWANDA MUPATSI
Chirorodziva, loosely translated, means ‘Pool of the Fallen’.
The production — an outcome of a partnership of Almasi Collaborative Arts, the UZ, Culture Fund, Sida and DANIDA — provided the audience with a refreshing dimension to theatre.
As lights dimmed and the last actors disappeared from stage, there was no thunderous applause, but surprise and disbelief.
The show started off with a piece of bitter-sweet acoustic music performed by one of the characters hinting at some of the themes to be explored in the play.
There was a rare cocktail of dance, poetry, music and visual metaphors by the energetic cast, with creative use of space, particularly the scenes where a hopeless character facing life’s storms attempts suicide from an elevated pillar or in a lavatory with invisible spectators observing the character’s disjointed psychological make-up.
Conceptualised and directed by renowned theatre practitioner, Tafadzwa Mutumbi, the production uses a complex, but intriguing pattern of story-telling where there are a series of soliloquies from characters.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The play tackles themes of love, spirituality, betrayal and moral sanity.
Speaking at a post-play discussion, one of the viewers, Shelby Ncube, described the play as “a good performance”. Playwright Gideon Wabvuta felt Chirorodziva explored a new theatre dimension.
“The experience was quite different from what we are accustomed to, it felt like you were part of some movie,” he said.
The production featured a blend of polished and rising actors Kudzai Sevenzo, Everson Ndlovu, Rumbidzai Karize, Memory Zikhali, Brezhnev Guvheya, Tholakele Anita Jim, Privilege Gwaba, Priscilla Mutendera, Tawanda Mutumbu and Khethani Banda.
