Rooftop Promotions administered Theatre in the Park to host Bulawayo-based theatre troupe Umkhathi Theatre Works from Wednesday the 13^th to Friday the 15^th 2021. Dubbed ‘Footprints’, the play is a musical dance show and a theatrical presentation which gives the narrative that traces the story of Ndebele people mainly through dance and storytelling.

By PASSMORE NDLOVU

With support from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the institution boasts performance engagement with some of the top theatre groups to perform in Harare.

The piece is more about a people who are carrying out an introspection as they seek to find out what defines them. The rich dance culture within the Ndebele traditions is then explored in a socio-historical presentation. The play was scripted by Thabani Hillary Moyo, directed by Matesu Dube and choreographed by Hebson C. Dube. 

 Umkhathi Theatre Works director Matesu Dube says theatre has been greatly affected by COVID-19 therefore they had been stagnant for quite long without shows which is why they get excited about their performance in Harare.

“I’m so much excited to take Footprints to Theatre in the Park. Theatre hasn’t been mobile for a long time. It’s good to interact with audiences once again, something which has been missing due to Covid-19” Dube said.

Rooftop Promotions producer Daves Guzha expressed his excitement saying that it is an honour to be hosting the Bulawayo troupe.

“Yes, we are very happy about this and it is really an honour for us as Rooftop to be hosting them here. Most importantly, they are performing after a very long pause of theatre in the country.” he said

Umkhathi Theatre Works was established in 1997 and is an award-winning multi-discipline performing arts ensemble based in the high-density suburb of Njube in Bulawayo. The 13-member group is involved in a wide repertoire of performance art skills that range from community theatre to African traditional dancing, music, drumming, mime, drama, poetry. Since their establishment, they have grown to be some of the top performing acts in Zimbabwe, producing performances in all their identified genres that have been well received by local, regional and global audiences. They have performed in Taiwan, Cote Ivoire, South Africa, United States of America among other countries.

Rooftop Promotions have organized various performances including theatre and music at their venue, Theatre in the Park which was equipped with modern livestreaming gear to continue with virtual activities at a time when the country was on total lockdowns. They have also for more than two decades organized global tours which saw Zimbabwean performers touring Africa, Europe, the United States etc.  

Tickets to the show are obtainable at Theatre in the Park offices located in the Harare Gardens at Corner Leopold Takawira and Herbert Chitepo Avenues in Harare. For advance bookings, the contact details are 0774232478 or 0782217462.