Semo heads to Mzuzu
The political satire, which earned Chisiza a night in police custody before a squalid reappearance at Robin’s Park two weeks ago, debuts at Katoto Secondary School in the afternoon before moving to Kasungu Inn in the evening.
On Sunday, Chisiza and his troupes will be in Lilongwe for an afternoon performance at Chipasula Secondary School and an evening at Kamuzu College of Nursing.
In an interview, the son of fallen dramatist Du Chisiza Jnr said he has had to scrap off Friday night’s performance at Mzuzu University because of “too much protocol”.
“[There is] too much protocol to follow. So, we felt it’s better to concentrate on the other shows,” said Chisiza, announcing that Dan Lu would curtain-raise the show.
However, the Part of Life star said in a different interview that he would not be part of the tour of the play, saying: “It has several issues that need serious consideration.”
“I don’t know anything about the tour and there is no agreement between Thlupe and I. He might have taken it for granted because I once asked him and other dramatists to consider involving my [Rockers] band in their shows,” said Dan Lu.
This leaves the onus solely on Lions Theatre to rise from a heavily criticised start and live up to their touted slogan of continuing the theatrical journey commenced by the legendary Du. Despite opening with scenes of thoughtful symbolism of the country’s uncertain political future and lack of clear succession plan, the play, directed by Chisiza, was found wanting in terms of depth, characterisation, plot and inartistic portrayal of issues.
