The Sunday News
A THEATRE play Water Games, which is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy Of The People by local playwright, Christopher Mlalazi is set to premiere at this year’s Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) after which it will embark on a national tour before being staged in Germany and Norway.
Hifa is scheduled to run from 28 April — 3 May, 2015 in the capital and Water Games will be performed on the last day of the country’s biggest arts festival.
The play features a star-studded cast of Zimbabweans with great acting experience and is directed by a German director, Jens Vilela Neumann. He is based in Berlin and has been working in Africa, mainly in Mozambique and Angola as well as various European countries.
The original plot in An Enemy Of The People is of a doctor who discovers that the water being pumped into the town’s public baths is contaminated with ‘infusoria,’ and wants the Mayor to close the baths so that repairs can be done to the water pipes. The adaptation of Water Games explores the drinking water situation which makes it even more interesting.
The play is an interrogation of the perennial drinking water challenges plaguing most communities on the continent. It is not only the dirty water coming from the taps, beyond is another world where it’s “dog eat dog”. The comical tone of the play combined with music is bound to leave anyone in stitches.
Speaking on the developments, the director of the play, Neumann said: “First of all, it feels good to be in Zimbabwe and to be performing at Hifa, the cast is so talented and I can promise a show that will certainly leave a lasting impression.”
He added: “The project started when I met the Zimbabwean writer, Christopher Mlalazi in Berlin at a reading of his book, Running with Mother. This culminated in a long research that saw Mlalazi adapting Ibsen’s work and the experience has been so worthwhile.”
Christopher Mlalazi is not new to Hifa as he has showcased such plays like Election Day and Colours of Dreams. Both shows were hits with Election Day going on to win the National Arts Merit Awards (Nana) for best theatrical production.
The play, which is supported by Aktion Afrika in partnership with the German Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe German Society, Hivos, Norwegian Embassy and Xpressive Arts, will premiere at Hifa. After the premiere, it will go on a national tour and performances in Germany and Norway.
The talented cast includes, Michael Kudakwashe popularly known as Michael K, a versatile theatre, film and TV actor and an acclaimed comedian. A multi-talented artiste who has successfully built a brand for herself as a musician, actress, radio and TV hostess, Kudzai Sevenzo makes part of the cast.
The Nama award nominee for Best Actor in 2014, Tichaona Mutore and Gertrude Munhamo, a graduate of Theory X Initiative and an accomplished actress complete the cast. Cornelius Muponda adds to the flavour with some exciting music.
