Mphoka joins theatre charity show drive

The theatre fundraising initiative will this week be in Blantyre with veteran actor Charles Mphoka expected to join the cast.

He will join a group of star-studded names such as the initiative’s leader Michael Usi, Jeremiah Mwaungulu, Enifa Chiwaya, Mafumu Matiki, Ruth Simika, Bon Kalindo, Margret Chikwembeya, Ben Mkochi and Ferguson Magona for a performance slated for Robin’s Park on Sunday afternoon.

In an interview yesterday, Mphoka said it was difficult for him to turn down the opportunity to join a cause to serve humanity.

“We have seen musicians engage in several activities to fundraise for the cyclone survivors. As an actor, to be given a platform to contribute to such a cause is priceless. I should commend those who are in the forefront of pushing this initiative. As artists, that is the least we can do,” he said.

The seasoned actor, who is also Kwathu Drama Group director, said it will be exciting to work with a group of such accomplished actors.

Mphoka said: “From the cast you can see that we have stars all over. But like any production, we have characters that are expected to play particular roles. What we will need is just to respect those roles and I believe both the audience and the actors will have a good time.”

The group of actors, who are raising funds to build houses for survivors of the Tropical Cyclone Freddy, held their maiden performance at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe a fortnight ago.

Following their performance, theatre lovers from other regions asked the group to consider staging their performance as well. Now, theatre lovers from Blantyre will have a feel of the production Mwanayu ndi Wanga?

Usi, who is Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, said they have made a few changes to their script to accommodate the new role taken by Mphoka. He said they did a review of their Lilongwe performance and he  promised the Blantyre audience an improved performance.

He said: “We thanked God that we are using our talent to benefit our fellow human beings. We enjoyed the first performance. It has been so long we came together this way to perform. The choice of the actors is quite exciting as it is coming from different backgrounds.

“There are elements of Kwathu Drama Group, Tikuferanji and other television and radio drama productions. There is a diversity of talent and strengths.”