After being banned in 2012 due to the sensitive issues it explored, ‘1983 The Dark Years’, a play that focuses in the issues surrounding Gukurahundi.
The play will premiere tomorrow at Theatre in The Park and will run till June 2.
“We are really excited to be touring again after the play was banned in 2012 and we hope to Partner with the National Healing and Reconciliation Commission to trigger conversations that will lead to the healing of everyone affected by what transpired decades ago,” said the play’s producer, Sithabile Malambane in a statement.
“Theatre is a medium of communication which we feel should be allowed to address issues as they are. Now with the new dispensation which we feel recognizes freedom of speech. Theatre must take centre stage in transforming and creating spaces to dialogue within communities.”
Malambane added that they want to develop the play into a film.
“After Harare we hope to tour Zimbabwe and present it to our People as a Nation for we seek to promote true healing, true peace, and true reconciliation.
“One day we would love to develop it into a film if resources are available. Am sure it would turn out great,” she highlighted.
This is the second politically loaded play to be hosted by Theatre in The Park since the successful run of ‘Operation Restore Regasi’ a few weeks ago.
It appears the new dispensation mode in which the country is operating in at the moment, is giving artists the much needed freedom of expression they were yearning for.
However, government still needs to do more to ensure that the artists are well capacitated in order for them to tell the Zimbabwean story in a compelling manner.
