Zimbabwean playwright Chiedza Rwodzi and the UK-based Unshaded Stage Collective are preparing for a groundbreaking tour of China in 2026 with their critically acclaimed play Strangers and Revelations. Fresh from her performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Rwodzi, who is on a short holiday in Zimbabwe, took time to reflect on the international journey of her debut stage production, which was co-directed by Hassan Govia and Matthew Kissa, that continues to spark cross-cultural conversations around identity, trauma and connection.
Set in London, Strangers and Revelations follows two Zimbabweans, Zodwa and Malcolm, who meet under peculiar circumstances for a first date. As the night unfolds, their dialogue peels back layers of cultural memory, personal mythologies, and long-suppressed truths. The play probes the intricacies of relationships through an unapologetically African lens, using intimate storytelling to explore themes of belonging, gender and generational trauma.
Rwodzi told NewsDay Life & Style that they will take the tour as a learning experience of stage techniques while they embrace China’s worldwide admired technological advancement.
“I think that's also why I'm excited about the IC award that I recently got, because that's going to enable us to travel to China. And it's very exciting what's happening there. As soon as we know, so I don't know how big our team is, how big a team we can carry,” she said.
She added that they saw a slideshow in Edinburgh of Chinese cinema, which was mind-blowing and from there developed a keen interest in the tour of China to witness the Hengdian World Studios, which are often called the "Hollywood of the East".
Rwodzi offered practical advice to aspiring artists in film and theatre.
“Get in the room. Join communities. Find local workshops or online resources. Most opportunities come through networks and remember that there’s no one path to success. Stay open, stay curious.”
Outside the industry, Rwodzi finds joy in travel, poetry, and food.
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“I love spoken word and discovering cultures through food. Food connects people,” she said.
When co-director and producer Kissa was asked how he would present himself if given the chance to be a voice for Africa, his response was deeply reflective.
“I don’t believe in African borders. Why do I need a visa from Uganda to South Africa? I see Africa as one house with many rooms. We may speak different languages, but they often share roots.”
For Kissa, the China tour is not just about showcasing African talent but also about forging reciprocal partnerships.
“We have talent. They have technology. Let’s find the common ground where we both benefit,” he said. “What if China trains 200 of our young creatives in cutting-edge filmmaking tech? We bring the stories and they help us to tell them better. That’s a win-win.”
He stressed the importance of mutual respect and understanding cultural boundaries.
“As Africans, we carry the weight of colonial trauma. Some things are still too fresh to ignore. So when we collaborate, we must also agree on red lines, that is, what’s sacred, what’s negotiable. That’s not about being difficult. It’s about preserving dignity,” Kissa said.
He emphasised that while China is culturally rich and technologically advanced, partnerships must also honour African values, spirituality and community.
“We admire their discipline, their infrastructure, and their innovation, but collaboration must be balanced. We can’t let one side profit while the other is silenced. Our stories are valid, our values matter. And if we do this together with trust and clarity, we’ll all move forward.
