The Sunday News
The play Narratives from the Dark written by Special Matarirano and directed by Eunice Ratidzo Tava, set out on tour to Masvingo (Charles Austen Theatre) and Mutare (Courthauld Theatre) on 28 and 29 June respectively.
The solo act which stars visually-impaired actress Edith Masango successfully premiered at Harare’s Theatre in the Park on 25 May. The Masvingo show was well received by an audience of 80, and invited back to the upcoming disability expo in July, and festival in August. The need to tour the production became evident and a tour to rural Masvingo has been proposed.
Narratives from the Dark is an empowering theatrical stage play which provides hope to people living with disability and people facing any form of stigma, prejudice or discrimination based on different factors such as physical appearance, sex, class to mention a few. The play uplifts the abundance of talent that lies in people living with disabilities.
Masango, who plays the lead role in this solo performance, is visually impaired and the play is her autobiography. In the play, Gwen, a blind lady, finds herself confronted with two issues in her life; to fight for her rightful place within a stereotyping society and to fend for her needs in a tough economy.
Writer Special Matarirano said; “Through the play we seek to change the behaviour, attitudes, creeds and mentality of people living with disabilities in order for them to claim parity and equality within traditional societies that look down upon them.”’
What makes it powerful and inspiring is the fact that it is based on the real life of the actress and offers authentic solutions to the concerns presented.
The solo performer Masango, who plays the character of Gwen, lost her eyesight at 20 years of age soon after she had given birth to her child who is now six years old. In the play she depicts her reality and the challenges she faces as a visually-impaired young woman living in an unaccommodating society.
She presents a window for the ordinary person to step into her shoes by highlighting some of the challenges she faces which the society overlooks. The play hence becomes a powerful tool for educating on the importance of tolerance and acceptance.
Edith said; “It was a great experience for me to go out and show others what people living with disabilities can do. The people of Masvingo really liked me. It was awesome. I was also very happy that they raised the suggestion to take the play to the Kapota School for the Blind in Masvingo. Thanks to Eunice Tava who was so easy to work with, as she really understood about disabilities and helped me throughout; I learnt so much from her.”
Director Eunice Tava Tava said; “Masvingo was great. We had a good attendance and after the powerful performance by Edith audience members stayed for post-discussions. These included representatives of different organisations and festival co-ordinators. They enjoyed the play and begged Nhimbe Trust to have the production included in an outreach programme so that the message reaches out to as many people living with different forms of disability as possible. They also mentioned Kapota School for the disabled which is hosting an event soon.”
The Mutare show was cancelled due to dysfunctional stage lighting as Edith’s performance is dependent on this. Nhimbe hopes to bring Narratives from the Dark to the Bluez Café in September. Nhimbe Trust lends support to the tour under their programme Women in Theatre and Television, in association with cultural partners Africalia (Belgium), which supports art and culture in several African countries and has been involved in the development of the arts in Zimbabwe for many years.— Nhimbe Trust Newsletter
