Physical theatre: Portraying Zimbabwe’s diverse culture

19 Jun, 2016 - 00:06 0 Views
Physical theatre: Portraying Zimbabwe’s diverse culture Witness the “Beauty of Zimbabwean Folklore Rhythm” at Theatre in the Park

The Sunday Mail

Witness the “Beauty of Zimbabwean Folklore Rhythm” at Theatre in the Park

Witness the “Beauty of Zimbabwean Folklore Rhythm” at Theatre in the Park

Takudzwa Chihambakwe

“We also realised that some of these non-verbal forms of communication are slowly dying in Zimbabwe so we then decided to bring this to the theatre and get our audience, which is used to a cast reciting lines, to see and comprehend it when it is done in a physical way.”IT was not your usual theatre in the capital this past week as Theatre in the Park took a complete shift from its usual programming, which usually sees a cast performing an adaptation of a book or a play by a playwright — it was all about physical theatre.

The new slot showcased a number of Zimbabwe’s traditional dances and rhythms. Dubbed “The Beauty of Zimbabwean Folklore Rhythm”, the idea behind this show was to celebrate the 16 languages recognised in Zimbabwe’s constitution.

The cast, which featured renowned percussionists such as Othnell “Mangoma” Moyo and Gibson Sharai, managed to showcase, clearly, the difference between one dance to the other as well as the rhythm that accompanies each routine.

The seamless performance of the eight-member cast was just magnificent — it got the audience wanting to go back in time and experience how the ancestors celebrated a great harvest or how they sang and marched before a war in the days of Mzilikazi or just celebrate at a great feast.

Some of the drum rhythms showcased were Chiyambera, Dinhe Jerusarema Mbende, Majukwa, Amantshomane, Amabhiza, Isitshikitsha and Mhande amongst many others.

Explaining more about physical theatre, Rooftop Promotions, media and information officer said, “Most people are used to a cast going through lines written by a playwright and trying to convey a message. We have this new programme that seeks to promote non-verbal acts.

“For instance back in the day when it was harvest time, there was a certain drum beat to signal this to the villagers and when there was a meeting by the chief another beat would be played and people became aware.

“We also realised that some of these non-verbal forms of communication are slowly dying in Zimbabwe so we then decided to bring this to the theatre and get our audience, which is used to a cast reciting lines, to see and comprehend it when it is done in a physical way.”

However, it was very heartbreaking to note that all this amazing stuff was being performed to a crowd of less than 20 people and yet the auditorium can accommodate 600 people. Unlike other shows where poor turnouts are attributed to ticket prices, in this case the show was just $1 and yet still people did not come out to celebrate their own cultural heritage.

Could it be the nippy weather? That is debatable, however, Theatre in the Park has to improve on the way they market their shows.

Posters may be called archaic but they will improve awareness complemented by online advertising campaigns.

Even outside the venue, there were no posters, a banner or notice board showing which show was running and the cost, something which is very critical in making people who pass through the Harare Gardens (where the venue is located) become aware of what is taking place.

Since the theatre was opened, the biggest crowd was seen on opening day when the play “Super Patriots and Morons” was showcased in front of plus 200 people, from then on the numbers have dropped significantly. Are Zimbabweans now just lovers of the music genre only?

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds