THEY say like wine, they get better with age, so does Umkhathi Theatre Works —an award winning performing arts ensemble which got a standing ovation on Friday night after charming the audience with its latest production—Bayethe Nkosi at the Bulawayo Theater.
The production, presented by Intwasa Arts Festival and Umkhathi Theatre Works is a theatrical production centred around the last days of King Lobengula and the battles his impis fought with the white settlers in an effort to resist colonisation.
Bayethe Nkosi was written by Thabani Moyo, directed by Matesu Dube and the concept was done by Nkosikhona Ndlovu.
Umkhathi Theatre Works, known for its energetic and outstanding performances, staged a scintillating show which gathered a massive crowd.
The production also saw a white cast which wowed the crowd. One of the white cast members portrayed Major Allan Wilson who led white forces at the battle of Pupu on December 4 1893.
Umkhathi Theatre works founder Matesu Dube told Standard Style that he was happy with the attendance, including the reaction from the crowd.
“The show was good and the attendance was good as well. I can say the artists did a good job,” he said.
“Well, engaging the whites was an experiment to see how the audience react and it worked well for us as most of the times we use black people to play the roles of white people.
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“It feels good to have a multi-racial cast.”
“We would like to engage schools and perform the play as part of history lessons and probably bring it to the theatre again in December before taking it to other parts of the country next year.”
Dube said the play seeks to correct, preserve and promote Zimbabwe’s rich history and cultural heritage.
