MORE THAN A THEATRE PERFORMANCE by Fumban Innot Phiri

Jacaranda Cultural Centre was grasped with inter-cultural interaction between Malawi and Canada as Mapeacocks re-stage the adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, a theatre pierce written by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is of most performed play across the global and currently being learned as a literature book in Malawi Secondary School level.

Solomonic Peacock Theatre decided to emanate theatre for education project, it’s when Romeo and Juliet was élite as one of the stories in Malawi’s Literature syllabus. The Show was patronized by students from Ridley College in Canada, Stella Maris Secondary School and other staff from Jacaranda Cultural Centre.

In the streets of ancient Verona where they laid there scene, two house holds both alike in dignity but hatred divorces them. When Romeo (Played by Jack Msumba) an only heir of the Montague (Taonga Makopa) falls in love with Juliet (Lydia Deborah Banda) a daughter of Montague’s great enemy Capulate (Kelvin Malunga).

Romeo face Tybalt

Romeo and Juliet secretly got married sanctification by Fiar Lawrence (Matthews Khoti) in an arm of bringing the two families together but things got topsy-turvy when Romeo banished by Prince Scales (Mwai Kadzandira) after killing Tybalt (Wycliffe Antonio) a cousin to Juliet when he was trying to avenge Mercutio’s (Fumban Phiri) death. The tragic death still follows when both Romeo and Juliet died for each other.

Crazy pictures with students from Canada

Robert Burke a lecture who was leading the Canadian students described their tour to Malawi as successful one. “Our journey was to have a brief chat with students from Jacaranda School of orphans based on relationship we have but we received more than what we expect. A performance of Romeo and Juliet from Solomonic Peacocks Theatre was such nice and good adaptation” Burke explains. Tuesday’s show as than more a theatre performance from Mapeacocks actors and Actress, after the performance there was a grasp of interaction from both the audience and the cast. 

Students from Stella Maris and Ridley College posed questions to Mapeacocks youngsters (Actors) which later turn into establishment of communal interaction.

Students from Stella Maris Enjoys the Show.

 “This is my third time to watch a play from Solomonic, every time I could see a great change in terms of improvement in acting skills among the youngsters, I first Romeo and Juliet last year when Mapeacocks invade our school for the second time, to compare with today’s show I can say it was much better than last time” Taonga a student Stella Maris noted.

A last group photo

For Mapeacocks the expedition still on, there more from our basket….

MAPEACOCKS TO OBLIGE “ROMEO & JULIET” By Innot Fumban Phiri

MAPEACOCKS ON PREVIOUS PERFORMANCE 

The unique adaptation of shake-spare’s Romeo & Juliet is set to be articulated by the Malawi’s prominent theatre, Solomonic Peacocks, the production seems to attract audience from different dimensions, After a thrilled performance on 14^th February the valentines day at Jacaranda Cultural Centre under Maison De La France in Blantyre the group receive a recall on duty on 14 March 2017.

The production which under theatre for education project, aiming at improving literature in secondary school. Though it seems that the out-classic previous performances of “Romeo & Juliet” at Stella Maris Secondary School, Chichiri Secondary School and Jacaranda Foundation Secondary School was formally outstanding. The Mapeacocks’ project will turn into more that theatre for education. It is now time to gratify international exposure in the eyes of Canadians students who will be arriving in Malawi this coming Friday the 10^th March.

MORE ARTISTIC ON STAGE

Forget about DiCaprio on set its time to for the Canadians to visitors to watch a new classic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet a homemade adaptation by African-Malawian actor from Solomonic Peacocks Theatre.

After the official performance on 14^th March to Canadians at Jacaranda Cultural Centre, Mapeacocks will take Romeo and Juliet to HHI Secondary school and Our Lady of Wisdom Sec School on 18^th and 23^rd March respectively.

“This is part of theatre practical to our Solomonic Theatre Class students and as well as helping students in secondary school to have better understanding of literature” McArthur Matukuta commented.

Solomonic has performed more than six adapted production under theatre for education project like; The Great Famine from Novel called “Smouldering 

A Brief Stay at Solomonic Peacocks Theatre.

A Brief Stay at Solomonic Peacocks Theatre by Dalitsani Lucy Anselmo a fourth year student in department of fine and performing arts at Chancellor college.

Dalitsani Anselmo on stage as lady Capulate In Rome n Juliet
play by Solomonic Peacocks Theatre.

I joined Solomonic Peacocks Theatre as a volunteer on the 17^th of January 2017. I was there for only two months but managed to learn a lot from the team. While at Solomonic, I worked as an actor and got lucky enough to take part in two plays: Romeo and Juliet which was shown at two different venues and Rhythm which was shown to a Zimbabwean touring group.

During my stay, I took part in a mindset change programme where we worked with prisoners from Chichiri Prison. I must say I was scared at the idea of working with prisoners but once I met and interacted with them, I realized that they were actually nice and friendly. It was a great experience working with them in drama and it cleared all my misconceptions about prisoners that I had in the past.

Dalitsani In Action

 

While volunteering at Solomonic Peacocks theatre, I had the opportunity of taking part in a workshop conducted by Rooftop promotions from Zimbabwe. The workshop included scriptwriting, acting and dance. We learned two physical dances that looked difficult at first sight but once you caught on, the dances became easy and fun. The group also gave us, Malawian actors, hope to believe in what we did because there is an art market in Zimbabwe were we can show our talent. After the workshop, there was an interesting drama performance by the group which tackled the issue of women abuse.

Due to this workshop, I managed to give a handshake to Eric Mabedi whom in my opinion is one of Malawi’s oldest actors. Mabedi played Jakobo in the comedy shows of Izeki and Jakobo. I was speechless at first and when I gathered courage to talk to him, I stammered. It was embarrassing but I cherished the moment.         

A group photo with friend after performances

I also made friends at Solomonic. I had the opportunity to work with talented young actors in the activities we had. We acted, danced and sang together. It was nice to have these guys because we would motivate each other and help each other when one of us had trouble understanding a character they were playing. Most of all, it was sweet to have these guys laugh and joke with you every day because it always made me feel at home and I was able to act crazy around them. I’m going to miss these guys.

More fun after Well done Show

Lastly, I would like to say that I loved my stay as a volunteer at Solomonic Peacocks theatre and I will always remember my time there. I have learnt a lot from them and I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to become or would want to develop their skills as an actor. Solomonic Peacocks is a place that strives to make the actor better than before. 

                                       CREATIVE WRITING AND ACTING SKILLS


Solomonic Peacocks Theatre in collaboration with Rooftop Promotions from Zimbabwe, yesterday 28th February 2017 had a workshop training with Solomonic peacocks theatre class in Blantyre Malawi. The workshop centralize in creative writing, acting and dancing, the students were impact with new inter-cultural exchange experience in dancing of the Shona and Ndebele tribe from Zimbabwe.

Students in Dancing rehearsals

The workshop was facilitated by Lewis Ndlovu a professional drummer and percussionist, Dalma .V. Chiwereva a professional dancer and an actress and there was also An actress and script writer Gertrude .V. Munhamo. This team was led by renowned professional theatre practitioner and producer Devis Guzha of Rooftop Promotions.



Gertrude and Dalma in front

By the end of the workshop the students managed to create a short play titled Rhythm written by Bright Makina, directed by Wiseman Mwai Kadzandira, having the cast of eleven featuring; Tawonga Makopa, Dalitsani Anselmo, Bright Makina, Kelvin Malunga, Violet Saiwa, Matthews Khonati, Lydia Banda, Philomina Mwantali, Ernest Mayero, Davie Scot and Florence Magombo. Stage Manager: Moses Nyasa, Costume: Florence Magombo.

Cast After the play production

Synopsis.

The Rhythm is story of Chisomo, a girl who followed her passion in dance despite being discouraged by her friends. She pursued her dreams and she became a star in dancing with the Shikara group and toured the whole world.







After Workshop Group Photo