Raisedon Baya’s The Taking captivates Harare

Last night, the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre in Harare buzzed with excitement as Raisedon Baya’s critically acclaimed play The Taking returned to the stage, captivating a sold-out audience. This performance followed its recent grand relaunch in Bulawayo, marking a decade of the play’s powerful legacy with a renewed yet familiar touch.

By Plot Mhako

Originally performed ten years ago, The Taking explores Zimbabwe’s complex and deeply contested land issue—a theme as poignant today as when the play first premiered.

The production boasts a stellar cast, including the legendary Zenzo Nyathi, Alex Marowa, Albert Tshuma, Mzingaye Ngwabi, and Lonesome K Tapiwa, whose performances brought depth and intensity to the story.

In a recent interview with earGROUND AFRICA’s Trevor Mawaka, Raisedon Baya reflected on the enduring relevance of the play’s subject matter.

“The story about land is deeply ingrained in Zimbabwe’s history,” he said. “It caused the occupation of our country, the liberation war, and the ‘third chimurenga.’ Land is more than soil—it’s our identity as a country and a people. This issue is like our skin; it’s always with us.”

Baya’s masterful ability to blend the socio-political and emotional dimensions of land into a compelling narrative has established The Taking as a timeless piece of Zimbabwean theatre. “This is a story that was relevant 10 years ago, is relevant now, and will remain relevant 50 years from now,” Baya emphasized.

For this revival, Baya collaborated with seasoned director Memory Kumbota, introducing a fresh perspective to the production. While the script remained largely intact, the staging benefited from new actors and refined direction, bringing the play into the present without losing its essence.

At its heart, The Taking confronts critical themes: land as both an economic cornerstone and a political flashpoint, and censorship as a persistent challenge to artistic expression. “Without land, a people have no leg to stand on,” Baya noted, underscoring the universal and enduring resonance of the narrative.

The Harare audience responded with resounding praise, lauding the play’s gripping storytelling and emotional depth.”

More than just a performance, The Taking serves as a mirror to Zimbabwe’s past, a critique of its present, and a call for its future. Through this revival, Baya and his team have once again demonstrated the transformative power of theatre to provoke dialogue, ignite reflection, and inspire change.