Theatrical company Mwezi Arts will this month launch a female dominated play in a new drama project, in collaboration with some people in Germany.
Titled Salema, the play is an adaptation of the crucibles by Arthur Miller, a true story from the 16th century and it reminisces the Stone Age era with witchcraft taking centre stage.
“The book talks of a religious community in Massachusetts, USA that was stricken by witchcraft through dancing due to the waywardness of a group of girls. Because dancing and witchcraft were forbidden in the community, it brought along so much confusion.
“We are interested in the illusions of witchcraft as we saw ourselves [Malawians] in that as there is a big puzzle about it locally. And we are taking it from the Malawian woman’s point of view, hence the cast being female-dominated. We have five actresses and one actor,” explained Stanley Mambo, artistic director.
He said the idea of having one gender dominating the cast was because “a woman has no space in the community and we are still fighting that in Malawi.”
Stressed Mambo: “It was not an easy decision, but the world especially the aspects that we want to change are male- dominated. Even talk of power at home, we are therefore giving these women [in the play] the space they deserve. The play has many strong male roles, but the women are really acting them better than the men.”
Four people from Theatre Konstanz in Germany who will also design the stage, direct and handle costumes are already in the country ahead of the play’s premier today.
“We are rehearsing together ahead of the launch on 31st July at Madsoc in Lilongwe and on 2nd August at Nanzikambe Arts in Blantyre. They will also share practical artistic skills to the team as we continue to try to build a theatre industry,” he said.
Among the five actresses is Malawi’s celebrated artist Flora Suya who has since described her multiple roles in the play as challenging but very exciting.
“This is my seventh professional stage play. I have always looked forward to more challenging roles since I started stage play. Now, coming from The Messenger which I did with Nanzikambe Arts and it was more challenging, I thought that was all, but I was very surprised with Salema.
“I am playing three different roles of Abiti Tutuba who is a servant, Cheyani who is a well-to-do woman and a Nyakwawa who is a governor at a community level. It is exciting as I am always thinking of what or how to handle my next role, how do I perfectly portray the persona for the three different roles. It’s challenging mentally and physically,” said Suya.
She says the continued collaboration with Theatre Konstanz shows people are happy and appreciate Malawi’s talent as well as the potential in the country’s theatre.
Another actress who is making her debut appearance in a professional play, Abena Chidzanja Nkhoma, is rearing to go and looking forward to the launch.
“Despite witchcraft being controversial, I had no challenges in playing my role of Angaliba in the play. I will therefore give it my all so as to sell and expose myself,” she said.
The play is the second stage of theatre roots which Mwezi Arts started in November with training for actors, actresses, technical people in lighting and sound.
