The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
Manicaland’s arts industry is coming alive. It has been a case of sweet news throughout for the arts sector, which is progressively transforming for the better in the province. First, it was the opening of Diamond FM and now the resurrection of Courtauld Theatre.
Courtauld Theatre
In a show of innovation, a group of youths in Mutare has brought back to life the Courtauld Theatre that had until three years ago been in a coma.The one-stop arts centre, first opened in April 1956 by Sir Stephen and Lady Courtauld, had become a white elephant. Courtauld Theatre is the only artscentre in Mutare that houses a huge auditorium, library, visual arts, dance and music recording studios, among other facilities.
Previous owners of the joint were reluctant to let fresh blood take control of the venue despite losing interest in the place. Accordingly, the grand arts centre was losing its shine with each passing day. The then custodians of the venue stopped conducting necessary facility maintenance work soon after the turn of the millennium before finally shutting doors of the gigantic centre in 2007 for supposed renovations. That renewal did not take place.
Reports though are that the former owners used to open the place for “Nicodemus meetings” of a political nature during the time the place was supposedly shut down for renovations.
This prompted a group of youths in Mutare to seek control of the centre – which they have now done. Government facilitated talks between the previous owners and the youths. The negotiations lasted for close to seven years. And today, the youths – working under the guidance of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation – have ensured Courtauld Theatre roars back to life. A 10-member board is running the arts centre under the chairmanship of Henry Tsopotsa. “… we are happy that it has regained life. The previous owners did not want to let go of the property since it was more of a legacy than anything to them,” said Tsopotsa.
“We could not sit and watch a centre with great potential to boost the arts sector in the community deteriorate. This is a centre that was built for a noble purpose but was operating outside the founding principles.” The arts centre is receiving a major boost from Zimpapers’ Mutare-based commercial station, Diamond FM (available on 103.8FM in Manicaland), that recently opened for business.Through the station, some of the artistes being groomed at the centre have a platform to showcase their talent.
Tsopotsa said since taking over, they had created an even playing field for both established and potential artistes, regardless of race and ethnicity.
“It was being run as a minority space meant for whites but we have since changed that. I’m a theatre practitioner but it took me 18 years to know what the inside of this place looks like. Access for blacks to this place was only granted for rehearsals when a white front was used for negotiations,” explained Tsopotsa. Most of the whites that had a direct link to the place have left Zimbabwe. But, though operating, the venue is visibly in need of serious touch-ups. It is seriously dilapidated. There is need for a new floor on the stage, lighting systems, public address system, a change of seats upholstery to mention but a few. More than US$20 000 is needed for a complete overhaul of the arts centre, said Tsopotsa.
“To date we have used more than US$4 500 on renovations that include sealing a leaking roof. We are using our initiatives to raise funds. It has, however, been a challenge. We are now planning to approach the Culture Fund for assistance and banks since we now have a 99-year bankable lease.” Artistes and arts followers are currently accessing the venue for free.
However, there are some special shows involving big artistes that are charged. Proceeds from such events are used to finance maintenance work and pay for utilities. Courtauld Theatre will this year host the Jibilika Dance Festival finals.
The arts centre has in the last three years also played host to national events like Chibuku Road to Fame and Starbrite provincial competitions while Simuka Comedy events have also been held at the venue.
