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Tendai Chingonzo Arts Correspondent
Forgotten Mabvuku drama ensemble Shouder Troupe has risen from the ashes with a new drama “Baba Tireyi” which tackles social topics.

The group that shot to fame in the mid-90s with some of the finest stars like the late Peter Kampira, Musa Chiwa of the Chibataura fame who is popularly known as Chigutiro, Gladys Tsikwa aka Mai Madhinda, Cliff Chivanga, Rony Mbuisa, Bianca Takundwa and Obert Chabvundura among others who graced local television. They are also famed for featuring in popular television dramas and films such as “Mhosva Ndeyani”, “Everyone’s Child”, “Ganyau Express”, “Mutirowanza” and “The Team” that is currently showing on Dstv channel, Africa Magic World. “We were reviving our drama group through performances at schools and community functions. Theatre touches a lot of community bleeps and blunders so we harnessed our creativity in the dramas such as ‘Baba Tireyi’, ‘Zakeo’ and ‘Barnabas’. Our programme involves interaction with the audience in public places such as Mbare Musika, Epworth and other high density suburbs,” said scriptwriter Chabvundura. The group has not lost its trait of being humorous in tackling social issues and this is evident in scenes like the Mbare Musika episode where they capture a squabble between a vegetable vendor and buyer over bond coins.

According to Mbuisa, who is also the group’s artistic director, there is more they can do but financial constraints are limiting their work.

He appealed for sponsorship from well-wishers in government and the corporate sector as he believes they have what it takes to contribute to the growth of the film industry.

Mbuisa believes such intervention not only improves the quality of productions but also helps spread them to remote areas.