Kwathu Drama Group bemoans lack of venues
Interim leader of one of the country’s oldest theatre outfit Kwathu Drama Group Charles Mphoka says lack of proper and affordable venues has forced them to halt performances.
He told said in an interview that since the passing of their leader Eric Mabedi, the group has only performed once.
“We performed once at Golden Peacock Hotel. The charge to hire the hall was K800 000. Now, imagine investing K800 000 for a venue alone, breaking even is not easy,” said Mphoka.
He asked government to push for the rehabilitation of Blantyre Cultural Centre which is a bigger and more affordable venue for theatre performances.
“As it stands right now, we as theatre performers, we are slowly dying because we do not have the support that we used to have,” said Mphoka.
The actor was speaking on Sunday after Kwathu Drama Group’s performance closed the Easter Theatre Festival at Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Blantyre. The festival took place from Friday to Sunday.
The group staged their production Pali Chani, written and directed by Mphoka.
It featured a star-studded cast that included Moses Mandevu, Linda Chatha, Emma Chikwembeya, Patricia Malunga, Enifa Chiwaya and Mphoka.
The play, which tackles expectations in marriage and deception, kept patrons on the edge of their seats throughout, proving that experience is the best teacher.
Speaking at the end of the event, Easter Theatre Festival director MacArthur Matukuta said it was one of the best festivals ever.
He, therefore, announced that next year the festival will be back on March 22 to March 24 2024.
The Easter Theatre festival featured at least 20 performances from various groups, including Solomonic Peacock, St Andrews International High School, Young Travellers, Dikamawoko Dance Troupe, Chichiri Prison Cultural Dance Troupe, Jacaranda Foundation Drama Group and many others.
