The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe —
THE country’s third biggest theatre, Charles Austin Theatre, is this year set to focus on film production. This was revealed by the theatre’s artistic director Khetani Banda, who says they have over the past couple of months gradually developed an interest in film.
In partnership with Nelned Pictures, a film production company run by Nama nominated director, Sydney Taivavashe, Banda believes they are on the right path.
The theatre has a number of plays, which are being considered for film adaptation, and Banda and his team are currently working on their debut film production.
“Currently ‘Why Have We Been Called Here’, a one-act play that I wrote, is being adapted for the screen as a drama short film by Nama nominated director Charles Munganasa. The film, which is still in its pre-production stage, is a captivating and heart-breaking story of love, ambitions and the sacrifices people take to attain their dreams,” said the artistic director.
He added: “The interest in film has come after noticing that there is a thin line between the stage and film, and the wish to explore this line. Working with Nelned Pictures in films, which some of our Thespians have participated in, has also encouraged us to take that route.
“Let me also hasten to say that Charles Austin Theatre is now more of an arts hub and it wishes to explore all the dimensions of art, hence why we are now venturing into things like film.”
Besides the film craze, which has got the theatre practitioners out of their comfort zone, Banda and team will also be hosting some scriptwriting workshops similar to what Bulawayo’s Theatre for Everyone is doing.
“We will be offering classes in playwriting, acting and directing. These classes, to be facilitated by the Charles Austin Theatre’s own seasoned practitioners and visiting practitioners, will commence from the beginning of February and are expected to run for the whole year.
“The classes aim at encouraging the growth of a new seed of playwrights, actors and plays that express the feelings of today’s young adults,” revealed Banda.
Another major event to look out for in 2017 at the theatre is the hosting of this year’s “Jibilika Dance Festival” grand finale.
“Charles Austin Theatre will also hold several festivals that are aimed at encouraging the growth of theatre from toddlers to adults. There will be some festivals targeting schools such as the pre-schools’ drama festival, primary and high schools’ drama festivals.
“We are also looking at having a festival that will involve polytechnic institutions and universities. Other festivals that will be held at the Charles Austin Theatre will be the ‘Invitational One-Act Festival’, which was last year held in Kadoma and the ‘Jibilika Dance Festival’ finals of 2017,” said Banda.
Back to the plays, the theatre is set to open its doors towards end of the month with a production titled “The First and The Last”.
“This month the theatre is staging the award-winning play “The First and The Last”, written by John Galsworthy, which is basically the story of a young lowlife Larry who, in a moment of rage, murders the husband of his lover and is then haunted by his actions when a beggar is arrested for the crime.
“The play features young actor, Takudzwa Ponde, who scooped several awards at the ‘Invitational One-Act Festival’ last year for his role in the production.
“We will also continue staging classical plays this year, which is one factor that makes us stand out in the nation — in that regard, we are set to perform a classic Greek tragedy that will be staged in English and Shona,” said Banda.
Charles Austin Theatre first opened its doors officially in 1974 and has been functional since. It is currently run by a committee made up of young vibrant theatre practitioners, artistes and entrepreneurs.
“This month the theatre is staging the award-winning play “The First and The Last”, written by John Galsworthy, which is basically the story of a young lowlife Larry who, in a moment of rage, murders the husband of his lover and is then haunted by his actions when a beggar is arrested for the crime.
