Strong and sustained performances in
interesting production from Zimbabwe. (Review by Keith Millar)
The very successful 2013 Musho! Festival
was brought to an end on Sunday evening with the interesting production, Half Empty, Half Full from Zimbabwe.
Featuring Teddy Mangawa and Tafadzwa Hananda,
the play tells the story of two young men who leave their rural villages to
seek fame and fortune by working in the diamond mines of the big city. Their
aim is to make enough money in order to return and build houses for their
families.
They meet along the way and, as they open
up to each other about what has happened in their respective lives, they discover
that they have great deal in common. This draws them together and a warm
friendship develops.
As they travel together they discuss many
things. They talk about family and friends, as well as social ills such as
poverty and prostitution.
While Teddy has grown cynical, Tafadzwa
still has hope of a better future. These contrasting points of view are probably
what gave the play its title, Half Empty,
Half Full. Any further symbolism or deeper meaning was lost due to the
confusion caused by programme notes which suggested a totally different
production to the one which was on display.
Both actors give strong and sustained performances.
Their very physical depictions of various facets of the story such as their
time at school, the activities in a diamond mine and a car trip are
particularly impressive. Using only vocal sound effects and the boxes they
carry with them on their travels, they are able to create very realistic scenes.
Half
Empty. Half Full was produced by Savannah Trust
(Zimbabwe) with tour support from Pro Helvetia, The Swiss Arts Council, and the
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It was created and performed
by Teddy Mangawa and Tafadzwa Hananda and directed by Daniel Maposa with Lloyd
Nyikadzino.
For more details about the Musho! Festival,
visit www.mushofestival.co.za – Keith Millar
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