After its stretches in Lilongwe and Mzuzu recently, Waz Arts took it’s political satire Bwabwalala, written by seasoned journalist Suzgo Chitete to Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, on Sunday afternoon.
Amaryllis Hotel has in recent times opened up its doors to creatives by giving them space and it committed the same support to the production.
However, Amaryllis Hotel still lacks when it comes to theatre friendly space and no wonder Waz Arts had to improvise the stage to meet theatrical standards.
In future, the hotel which alongside other partners such as Times Group through Times Television supported Waz Arts needs to build a stage for drama if it has to continue hosting theatrical performances.
Hosted by renowned broadcaster Deus Sandram, people came out to watch the production and for Waz Arts, this was a stimulus for them not to relent but plait more powerful plays.
The audience followed with keen interest the close to two-hour production which passed the test depicting the entire Malawian life although the play still has some gaps that need mending to make it tight.
“A powerful production, I enjoyed it and the actors were good. The story tackles so many issues and resonates well with the day to day life. But there are two to three areas that I feel need panel beating but overall it is a good production,” veteran playwright Smith Likongwe said.
A number of patrons also said they enjoyed the play and that they were reminded of the exploits of Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre (Wet) driven by late Du Chisiza Jr and late Gertrude Kamkwatira.
Du and Gertrude passionately used theatre to tackle issues and bring about change and in several of the plays they created, they fought and spoke for the voiceless.
“The stories there-in just connected with everyone, you talk of issues of gender-based violence, corruption and property grabbing by relatives when wives lose their husbands. We need to change this narrative,” Witness Mhone, a Chilomoni resident said.
Apart from Chitete, who is one of the main actors playing brothers alongside old-timer in the game Jeremiah Mwaungulu, the other actors are Dipo Katimba, Brenda Mselu, Mary Chilongo, Rodgers Siula, Macdonald Sanga and Pleasant Banda.
The play delves into a family saga with a focus on two brothers played by Chitete and Mwaungulu – pursuing common interest yet with selfish reasons. They have not been close before but until an opportunity presents itself, they find a reason to forge an alliance.
In their corrupt undertakings which see them using different networks of other people, they end up siphoning money and obtaining papers for properties from a widow, who had lost her husband.
The widow played by Katimba must stand up and fight the two brothers.
