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How wonderful to see two very good theatre productions in a week!
On Tuesday 25 January I saw Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstein are Dead at Harare’s Reps Theatre which unfortunately ended on 30 January. Then on 29 January I was at the Anglican Cathedral’s Recreational Hall on the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Second Street to see Bitter Sweet Rhapsody Number 1 which is on until 20 February.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstein are Dead
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a set book for the English examinations this year and Rosencrantz and Guildenstein are Dead is the first Hamlet-type production to be staged at Reps. I hear that a production of Hamlet will be staged at the same venue later in the year.
Repteens, the teenage branch of the Repertory Players, stage an annual production. This year, it was directed by an ex-Repteen and member of Theory X theatre Group, Kevin Hanssen.
As I said to Kevin on my way out of the opening night performance he must be very proud of his cast and crew. I should have added he could also be very proud of himself.
Amongst a group of very talented young people there wasn’t one weak link in the cast or the stage crew which was assisted by a few adults — Repteens are encouraged to participate in all aspects of production. The ensemble playing was excellent. The costumes were excellent and the sets imaginative and provided a perfect background for the actors as did lighting and sound. Mike and Paula Blackburn must be congratulated for having no less than three sons carrying on their tradition of work in Sound, Lighting (Mike) and Wardrobe (Paula). All three boys were involved in the play.
If you missed Rosencrantz and Guildenstein you missed a theatrical treat. I was distressed to see so many empty seats on opening night. But I remembered in my days as Repteens’ Director that it was just the same then. I said then and it bears repeating. Repteens are Reps’s future for the next fifty years.
Need I remind you that Reps have recently celebrated their Golden Anniversary in the venue and in the last half century many Repteens have gone on to make a name for themselves in their first training in Repteens.
If you want to join Repteens, you must be between 13 and 19 years of age. The group meets every Friday from 6-8pm at the Reps Theatre on Second Street Extension. Repteens have their own room in the Reps carpark behind the theatre and meet there during the school terms.
The membership Fee is only US$12 per year and you get to be part of shows both on stage and backstage and learn all about theatre and have a lot of fun into the bargain. For further information phone Erin Cooper at the Reps office on 04 335626.
Bitter Sweet Rhapsody Number 1
First time playwright, Peter Churu did a good job of directing his first play at the Anglican Cathedral Recreational Hall which surprised me most pleasurably. As regular readers will remember, I don’t like film script writers and playwrights directing their own work. Too many times they become self-indulgent ruining what could otherwise be a good production. It is greatly to Churu’s credit that he did not fall into this trap and maintained his objectivity throughout.
Taking place in 2029, the play explores the role of women in politics and has many humorous moments which raise chuckles.
The poor woman finds that despite having all the right credentials, such as joining the liberation struggle at an early age and been in combat situations, she faces bigotry and anti-female attitudes in her quest for political acceptance.
Olivia Chipindu as the woman turned in a good, heart-felt performance. However she needs to learn that a still actor is an effective actor specially in soliloquies. She was inclined to gesture too much and wander round the stage with no purpose.
Everson Ndlovu, currently studying with Theory X Theatre Group, undertook many different male roles in a variety of guises. He was very good too.
Both actors need to learn that voice projection has nothing to do with shouting.
The problems on opening night were mainly technical and the production was not helped by the incorrect placement of what was a good evocative set.
The Recreational Hall is not a particularly good venue, being of barn-like proportions with poor acoustics. I would like to see this production in a smaller, more intimate venue and if this could be achieved Bitter Sweet Rhapsody Number 1 is worthy to be seen at HIFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts).
By the time you read this, I’m sure the kinks will have been ironed out and First Night nerves overcome. So do go and see this new production by another talented young group.
The play starts promptly at 6pm, with no performances on Sundays or Mondays.
BY SUSAIN HAINS
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