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Tafadzwa Bob

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Review Writer
All is set this weekend for the ‘Chirorodziva’ physical theatre performance hosted by Almasi Collaborative Arts theatre company. The performance will be hosted at the University of Zimbabwe’s Beit Hall beginning 6pm.

The play is the result of a physical theatre workshop led my Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi and hosted by the University of Zimbabwe Theatre Arts Department.

Speaking to this reporter, director of the production Mutumbi said all was in place for the performance and encouraged the cooperate world to come and support the project.

“We once hosted a workshop which consisted of University of Zimbabwe students, professional artists and artists who worked with Almasi Collaborative Arts last month and we have decided to reflect on what was discussed. Everything is going according to plan and I am happy with how the locals are responding. Art is life and we should embrace it,” he said.

He said physical theatre is a genre of theatre that uses primarily physical means to tell a story.

“The most common type of physical theatre Zimbabweans maybe familiar with is mime. The performance can either be based on a pre-existing script or a narrative that is devised by a variety of means. ‘Chirorodziva’ is a narrative that will be an exploration of dreams, spirituality and identity,” he said.

Mutumbi said that the play chronicles a survival journey through the mind of a weary soul that is trying to keep its aspirations afloat.

“It also brings to light the dreaded reality of how broken and miserable mankind can be when all they see in the midst of their efforts to attain their goals is a state in which they will be in a pool of fallen dreams. The production cuts deep into the daily challenges which confront humanity and it is a must-see for all performing arts fanatics as it is a super-charged assortment of humour, poetry, dance and drama that shall cater to the different tastes of the audience,” he said.

He said the production shall feature a cast of experienced and emerging theatre professionals namely Kudzai Sevenzo, Everson Ndlovu, Rumbidzai Karize, Memory Zikhali, Brezhnev Guvheya, Tholakele Anita Jim, Privilege Gwaba ,Priscilla Mutendera, Tawanda Mutumbu and Khethani Michael Banda.

Mutumbi is not new to the field as he has just returned from the United States where he was pursuing his studies in physical theatre at Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre.

This is his first activity since his return.

The physical theatre workshop and performance is part of Almasi’s capacity building for dramatic artists. This project is supported by the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust in partnership with SIDA and Danida.