2nd Mitambo International Theatre Festival kicks off in total defiance

The second edition of the annual MITAMBO INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL opens today in total defiance of the global Covid_19 pandemic which has cast a dark blanket on the performing arts shutting down several festivals but the organisers of Mitambo have gone the digital route.

By Plot Mhako

This year’s virtual event which will show-case a broad range of different forms of theatre performances, master classes and paper presentation and will run from the 15th of September to the 3rd of October 2020 and today is the official opening ceremony.

Mitambo International Theatre Festival hosted by The Zimbabwe Theatre Academy is the brainchild of theatre practitioner Lloyd Nyikadzino.

Mitambo is a summer theatre festival that draws its name from the Shona word for plays which truly encapsulates what the festival is about: A platform through which local and global communities can access and celebrate the diversity of cultural identity and artistic expression.

LLoyd Nyikadzino _ the festival founder and director

The 2019, Inaugural Mitambo International Theatre Festival program was carefully curated to uncover and support what theatre can be and, what it can enable communities to do. It harnessed the unique energy and power of theatre as an immediate engagement tool for transformation of ordinary people. As a priority the festival will ensure that everyone in our community is given access to fresh, thought provoking and high standard theatre performances.

Now, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) global pandemic, world travel protocols and gathering restrictions, our top priority is everyone’s safety.

Your theatre creators will still be playing you your favourite pieces of theatres. We will also have other pre-festival activities so as to lessen online fatigue for those who would want to join us.
LLoyd Nyikadzino _ Festival director

With the pandemic and the new normal the organisers have also been positively motivated to find new ways to keep theatre alive and to continue online to engage with stakeholders, creators and audiences in allowing the community to be fascinated, inspired by outstanding enriching stories.