University of Malawi (Unima) lecturer in theatre Thokozani Kapiri has said that theatre remains a major part of reflection of life and that it needs to be treasured.
Kapiri, who has sutured a number of productions, said this yesterday as the theatre fraternity celebrates World Theatre Day today.
“World Theatre Day reminds us the importance of human connection that is being eroded with the massive influx of digitilisation. As a society, we are submerged into gadgets leading to depression and anti-social behavior hence the theatre space may in the end be the artistic savior of human soulful connection,” he said.
He said World Theatre Day is coinciding with new theatre major programmes that Unima Department of Drama and Theatre Studies has created.
“For the first time students can purely take theatre courses only. That is one step the country is taking in the right direction,” Kapiri said.
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Veteran dramatist Smith Likongwe, who is also a lecturer at Unima, said theatre has made some progress in terms of maintaining interest from youngsters.
“We have not made progress in terms of sustaining the interest of theatre practitioners up to a stage where they are professional enough. We have not made much progress in terms of the quality of productions.
“Whereas we see good works from some groups, we see a laissez faire attitude from some groups whose many plays feel like the same play being extended,” Likongwe said.
On achievements to this far, Likongwe observed that a small group of the young generation “is doing creative and original work that needs to be encouraged”.
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“We need to have regular performances in some venues so, that the audiences know that for example every Friday or Saturday, one can go to a specific venue and be assured to watch some performance,” he said.
National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) President Maxwell Chiphinga popularly known as Max DC said they will not have any theatrical activities today.
“We are excited that theatre groups have been vibrant in recent times and we call upon them to continue doing their work. We also would like to commend Easter Theatre Festival for a successful fifth edition over the weekend,” Chiphinga said.
The Ntam leader, who is the National Arts and Heritage Council (Nahec) Draft Bill Taskforce chairperson bemoaned delays in the enactment of the Draft Bill.
“We want Nahec Draft Bill passed. We appeal to authorities to hear our plea,” Chiphinga said.
His remarks come barely six days after some poets also called for the enactment of the Draft Bill during World Poetry Day on March 21.
World Theatre Day was initiated in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
It is celebrated annually on March 27 by ITI centres and the international theatre community with an aim of promoting the art form across the world and make people aware of the value of the art form.
The World Theatre Day running under the theme ‘Theatre and a culture of peace’ comes barely seven days after the world also celebrated the World Theatre Day for Children and Young People.
