The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe
SPENDING long hours assisting those with eye problems has earned him a lot of respect in society.
Many revere the ophthalmologist for his work. Others assume that his home away from home is his surgery, located in the tranquil and leafy part of Harare’s Avenues area.
It is not.
Dr Solomon Guramatunhu is finally coming home — to the big stage.
The renowned doctor, who is known for supporting various art genres, is the executive producer of a theatrical production “Coming Home”, which is set to première on June 21 at the recently opened Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre.
The play focuses on the challenges African women face in a world loaded with cosmetics, one which forces them to believe that they need to alter their natural being to fit into society.
Reads the play’s synopsis: “Excommunicated by her village, Netsai journeys to the big city to further her education and still finds no acceptance. She takes drastic action to find acceptance in the cosmopolitan world where beauty trends are set by the haves and misunderstood and abused by those wishing to move socially upward.”
The play, written by Blessing Hungwe and directed by Lloyd Nyikadzino, has a stellar cast comprising of Tichaona Mutore, Dalma Chiwereva, Nothando Nobengula and Charity Dlodlo.
“This is a story of finding acceptance within oneself,” said the play’s production manager, Teddy Mangawa.
Mangawa, who is also the 2019 National Arts Merit Awards Outstanding Actor, said Dr Guramatunhu was instrumental in ensuring that the play gets to the stage.
“For the past six weeks, we have been in rehearsal working on this production through a partnership between Zimbabwe Theatre Academy and Dr Guramatunhu. We are really grateful for the funding as it comes at a time when the genre is desperately in need of it.”
After its staging at the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, the play is expected to go on tour.
“We are planning to take the play to local and regional festivals, as well as theatre venues and tertiary institutions.”
