Theatre Association hosts acting feast
It was counted out, written of and eulogized as dead for its inactiveness, but National Theatre association of Malawi (NAM) southern region chapter has blushed off rumors of its demise to stand its grounds-its alive and active.
The chapter has set a litmus test for itself over the weekend to confound its critics and abhors alike when it holds an acting feast at Nanzikambe’s home base in Naperi, Blantyre on Sunday 6 May, 2012.
Pulling together its members from English and Chichewa acting domes in two plays, Behind Bars and Mwataya Chipangano written by Max DC and Alfred Azizi respectively, the feast promises to pronounce the resurrection of the country’s theatre mother body.
In an interview with Nyasa TimesChairperson for the chapter, Lyson Namalomba disclosed that the show would carter as a fundraising for some of the association plans to implements this year.
“There are several projects we are intending to implement this year. One of it is going into districts and establishes memberships as well as support actors in such rural areas who failing to make a break through into national acting arena. We want to widen our goal target and ensure that the association benefits every actor in the country,” said Namalomba.
He said the association would take the two plays-to be showcased on Sunday- to several districts in the southern region, which include Chikhwawa, Mulanje, Zomba and Balaka among others. The plays will also be taken to Lilongwe soon.
“After the districts’ tour, we intend to take the plays to the central region where we will hold another shows together with central region chapter. It’s time we bring back theatre to its glory but that will only happen if we as actors start work together and that’s what we are doing currently,” he added.
However, Namalomba lamented poor patronage, high cost charges for venues and lack of corporate world support towards theatre in the country, saying such issues were chocking theatre in the country to death.
“Despite lack of venues, the issue of poor patronage has forced many groups to fold. How can one hold a show when you know people will not come to patronize. There is a need for people to understand the importance of theatre to the society because it’s costly to hold a performance for three or four people who, in most cases, happens to be fellow actors,” Namalomba explained.
He said the show will be spiced up by comedies from renowned comedians including Azizi himself just to give people a feast worth their time and money.
