‘Drama losing steam’

There was time drama used to be one of the highly respected and powerful forms of entertainment in the country. Apart from commanding a large audience, drama used to be dominating the entertainment venues and give fans a variety of choices. For example, one weekend you would find Kwathu Drama Group performing at Mount Soche Hotel, Umodzi Drama Group at Kudya, Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre at French Cultural Centyre (now Blantyre Cultural Centre) and Paulendo Drama Group in Mulanje, just to mention but a few. However, today the situation is different.HOWARD MLOZI caught up Eric Mabedi of Kwathu Drama Group, one of the country’s oldest drama groups to share its experience and lessons on trends occurring in theatrical circles.

Firstly, can you briefly take us through the history of Kwathu Drama Group?

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude that Kwathu Drama Group, which I proudly call an original Malawian brand, has clocked 36 years of existence in the country. This is no mean achievement because this also means that the group has been rendering its services to Malawians for same period.

Well, Kwathu Drama Group was officially established in 1980 by the late Charles Severe, Augustine Mawuwa, Esther Jekete and Mickson Howa, may their souls rest in peace, Charles Mphoka and John Nyanga also known as Izeki. But out of these dedicated founders, only Mphoka and Nyanga are alive today and remain inspirational and instrumental to me. I respect Mphoka as one of the country’s gifted producers of stage drama. But I only joined the group in 1984 and my first play to be featured in was Madzi Akataika.

How can you describe the present situation of drama in Malawi?

As far as I am concerned, the situation of drama in the country is not rose-coloured just by looking at the slow pace of stage performances and productions. Honestly, we cannot compare the past and present in terms of popularity because in the past drama used to lead the entertainment industry and people would always patronise performances in large numbers.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the dwindling levels of drama in the country first and foremost being technological boom. Technology, which is characterised by rapid advancements such as satellite televisions, are promoting digital movies. Today, families are just seating in front of their plasma screens in their homes watching Nigerian movies, including other channels. As a result, this has stolen a culture of patronising drama performances.

On the same, while the mushrooming of media houses especially radio stations has created room for diversified sources of information, this has a drastic impact on the marketing and advertising of artistic events such as drama performances. At first, event organisers were assured of the large turn up of the audience during their shows based on understanding that they were relying on the sole media house MBC [Malawi Broadcasting Corporation] to hear information of a particular event. But today, there are over 20 media houses that require artists or event organisers to advertise their events, which is not an easy task. It requires sound capital.

Again, drama is sliding back because there are no effective programmes that are promoting the industry right from the grassroots levels. At first, Malawi used to have district spaces where government officials would use to scout talent. But when you go to such centres today you will not find them. It is either the offices have been shut down or occupied up by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are doing other things other than promotion of arts. In a nutshell, I am not surprised that drama is diminishing in the country because it has proven to be costly to run it.

So, how come Kwathu Drama Group still stands today despite the hostile environment?

It is not easy. Today, there are blockbuster movies, world-class soaps and numerous educative channels on the digital televisions that are demanding people’s time. Again, you may wish to know that drama is for the executive people who abandon their comfort zones and posh entertainment in their homes. So, as Kwathu we have a huge task to come up with mature productions and well-designed performances that convince and pull such audience from their comfort zones in order to follow and patronise our performances. As a group, we have also taught ourselves to love the art and do it in the best interest of our fans, over the years.

If you compare with the past, how is drama paying Kwathu today?

There is popular trend where people always refer to the past as best in terms of everything. This is especially when one is faced with challenges they are quick to blame the present for their misfortunes.

But this is always not the case with Kwathu Drama Group. So, I will respond to this question to say that drama is paying all the time to those who put up effort in their work. But you should never be cheated that life or business was easy or better in the past because things are changing everyday and we need to respond to the changes accordingly. 