Blantyre-based theatre group Solomonic Peacocks, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has partnered with a theatre group from France, Compagne Du Hasard, to stage a play titled Odyssey.
The two groups are set to tour the country with the production, starting off at Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre on March 23 2024 during the fifth edition of Easter Theatre Festival.
The other performance will also be at the same venue on March 25 2024, when it will be free of charge, and, then, Blend Lodge and Kitchen in Zomba on March 26 before dating Chingalire Cultural Centre in Lilongwe on March 28 2024 with another free-of-charge performance.
Solomonic Peacocks Director McArthur Matukuta said Thursday that they were happy to work with the French theatre group.
“We connected with them through Sigegmar, one of the artists who attended Easter Theatre Festival last year and also through the French Embassy in South Africa where we a worshop by Theatre du Soleil,” Matukuta said.
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His said the two groups were inspired by the principle of Solomonic Peacocks to take Malawi to the world.
“We believe in collaborations. For this production, it is a story which is talking about a lot of issues including sports and politics and love, which are universal,” Matukuta said.
He said Solomonic, has been doing rehearsals in Malawi— with the French group doing its rehearsals in France.
“The last week to the Easter Theatre Festival, we will have our rehearsal together just to connect,” Matukuta said.
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The team for the production includes Emmanuel Faventines, Mwandipa Chimaliro, Delphine Chuillot, Gilbert Epron, Sarah Glond, Martin Lenzoni, Daniele Marty, Jimmy Maole, Matukuta, Henri Payet, and Cecilia Sayenda.
The freely adapted play from Homer tells the story of an Olympic champion who is held prisoner by a dictator. Her son and husband are waiting for her on the other side of the world. She must escape and overcome all kinds of hardships to reach them.
Meanwhile, Solomonic Peacocks, which spearheads Easter Theatre Festival, has released the three-day schedule starting from March 22 to March 24 2024.
