Youthful Blantyre-based theatre group, YDC finished its three performances of their play titled Journey to Lampedusa on Monday in Germany.
The group’s playwright and director Fumbani Phiri said they were content with the feat they have achieved through their tour in Germany and that they were hoping for more opportunities in their quest to propel theatre in the country.
“The support we have received here is massive. We had a great performance on Thursday with a standing ovation that was long and left us in tears of joy,” Fumbani Phiri said.
He said apart from the performances, they had an activity exchange programme with Berlin Youth Theatre.
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“This activity was important because it allowed us to share ideas and learn from each other. Theatre is changing and, so, we also need to continue growing, being creative and innovative to be at par with our colleagues,” Phiri said.
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YDC Theatre has toured with Journey to Lampedusa in Germany, having staged the production in the country in several places.
The eight-member team is expected back on June 10 2024.
The trip has been facilitated by the City of Hannover under their twin partnership with Blantyre City and also their theatre partners James and Priscilla Theatre with their project The Journey.
The play tells the story of Africans who leave their continent for Europe in search of greener pastures and finding hope only to tread on a dangerous path and experience challenges that threaten their lives.
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Lampedusa is an island in Italy and the play, which has also been staged by other players, stems from the incidences that have been happening.
Media reports indicated last year that more than 2,000 people and 289 children died in 2023 trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and a future in Europe and many of those who survive the journey land on the Italian island of Lampedusa.
