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Secrets of a Woman's Soul - The Evolution |
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Written by Mnatsi Zhou
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 |
A very moving book about a woman's plight in the face of poverty, HIV/AIDS and society's problems in dealing with both was adapted for stage by CHIPAWO. With the support of the European Union mission in Zimbabwe it was first staged as a Participatory Theatre Communications (PTC) piece.
PTC is a form of theatre where the narrative is developed in stages whereby at the end of each stage the audience is encouraged to participate. They can comment on the facts, notions and attitudes they have just observed but the best bit is that they can actually take to the stage and actually demonstrate what it is they think ought to be happening in the story. PTC is obviously a powerful means of getting crucial information across to any audience as well as attacking the issues of social attitudes. A qualified resource person is always on hand to see to it that factual information is kept as just that.
In CHIPAWO the Acting Performances Director one Dr Robert McLaren adapted Lutanga Shaba's narrative to a script for PTC and a brilliant all girl cast ,under Chipo Basopo, from CHIPAWO's own Girl Power Centre did the business. Because of the intimate nature of the content it was necessary that girls to perform this primarily for female audiences (one man I won't name declared himself an honorary femme to justify his presence). On the road, this version of the show was taken to two high schools an orphanage and one community arts centre.
However, today's performance wasn't PTC. It was the purer art form where a continuous narrative is acted out under the wizardry of lighting effects, the dialogue is richer and the acting deeper. In short the whole range of emotions inspired by the book is relived on stage. It was more taxing of the girls' acting skills but they rose to the occasion. We have our own breed of gremlins locally and they just had to make a show, it took a lot of fortitude to put a collar on them.
The main objective was to give the audience a taste of the power behind Lutanga Shaba's work translated into pure theatre as opposed to a more emotionally aloof PTC. The message remains as potent but if it can draw tears from all but the "toughest" manne its even better. Our audience comprised people representing various organisations whose support could see this version of the show on the road. Judging by their reactions the "Secrets of a Woman's Soul" could soon be revealed to many more audiences and ,I dare say, to their own benefit. In the mean time find the book and read it. |
