Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ruth Butaumocho
23 July 2008
Harare — Entertainment horizons for theatre lovers are set to widen following the launch of another theatre production house, Complete Arts Project, recently.
Complete Arts Project, a brainchild of theatre actor, Peter Churu will today premier a play, Blood knot, one of Athol's Fugard's most celebrated pieces.
Churu is no stranger to the arts having been involved in theatre since the 1980's when he partnered with the likes of theatre guru, Daves Guzha in a number of plays.
"I am getting into the theatre industry not to compete with existing players, but to complement them, a development that should enhance the industry that has been facing a number of challenges," he said.
Apart from its involvement in theatre, Complete Arts Project, would also develop television documentaries as well as mount displays and exhibitions of artistic works.
"We have since started working on a television documentary which tells the story of a convicted rapist.
"This is one of the many projects that our production house will look at," said the affable Churu.
The play that will premier at the Mannenberg today explores the lives of two brothers trapped into the entanglements of colour, poverty and inequality, set against a backdrop of South African apartheid years.
The two brothers are classified coloured and live in a shack in the shantytown of Karsten near Port Elizabeth. Morris is light skinned, has some education and "took his chances" "trying for white" in the outside world.
Zach is dark skinned and uneducated and can never be anything other than what he is - a black man. There are no choices for him.
The situation of the two brothers - imprisoned in a blood tie - cannot continue after the appearance of Ethel in their lives.
Zach becomes envious and hateful while Morris is crippled with a sense of guilt and responsibility.
Churu, who recently returned to the country after a stint in the Diaspora, found his copy of the play, which he once took part in almost a decade ago and decided to give it a go.
"I found the copy of the play which I entered in the National Theatre Organisation's Winter Festival in 1987 together with my friend Isaac Mapfumo.
"We realised that as youngsters, we had missed much of the benefit of experience and maturity.
"Although the play is nearly 50 years old, its issues are still relevant in a modern South Africa and we agreed to do a rerun," said Churu.
Twenty one years after taking part in the play, the two friends - starting from today - will revisit the play with a run at the Mannenberg Jazz and Theatre Club for the next five days.
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