Solomonic out with new play
Solomonic Peacocks will Saturday afternoon stage their new play, Needs of A Woman, at Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre.
The play was written by Fumbani Phiri and story by the group’s director McArthur Matukuta.
This is the first performance at JCC since it closed for holidays.
It is also a farewell performance for Matukuta, who is expected to leave for Switzerland on September 19 to pursue a Master’s in Expanded Theatre at Bern University of Arts.
“I will be there for one and half years. I am thankful to all who have supported me and this includes Hannover City in Germany, Jacaranda Cultural Centre and Christians from my church.
“But I am still remaining with funds for the air ticket and accommodation amounting to K1.6 million,” Matukuta said.
He added: “This course will equip me with a lot of skills and help me contribute immensely to the theatre industry in the country. Those who will come to watch the performance can support me and, for details, they can also contact Jacaranda Cultural Centre.”
Maison De La France and JCC deputy director, Daisy Belfield, said the performance was also part of raising funds to help Matukuta pursue the studies.
Matukuta said, even though he is leaving for Switzerland, Solomonic Peacocks, which has been involved in a lot of projects, including ‘Theatre for Education’, will be intact.
“Everything is intact; there are people on the ground who will continue running Solomonic because it is not a one-person group,” Matukuta said.
On the play Needs of A Woman, Matukuta said it tackles several issues with the focus on marriage.
“Basically, we are looking at marriage, in terms of what it is all about. Whenever there is no child in marriage, especially in Africa, there are conflicts and finger pointing and normally a woman becomes the victim,” he said.
Apart from Matukuta, some of the actors starring in the play are Phiri, Lydia Banda, Wiseman Kazandira, Mathews Konati and Florence Magombo.
“We were supposed to have Mwandipa Chimaliro as well in the production and this is why she is on the poster but she will not be available. We have been rehearsing this production for some time and we are ready. It’s a one-hour play and we will stick to time,” Matukuta said.
He said performances would continue even after he leaves for Switzerland.
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