By KHETSIWE KHUMALO | 2024-05-11

Association of Eswatini Theatre Groups President Maswati Dludlu, is concerned that the theatre industry is not growing due to the unavailability of resources.

According to Dludlu, theatre has encountered several problems, including lack of financial support.

He said theatre was not supported enough by government or the corporate sector which was the main cause of it failing.

He noted that only Twilight Theatre Concepts tried to revive theatre in the country but failed due to financial constraints.

“We have a serious problem with theatre in the country as it is a very expensive artistry that strongly relies on investments, time and resources,” he said.
Dludlu stated that government needed to invest more in theatre as it also supported the film industry.

“Government and stakeholders should be engaged on how we can improve theatre plays and drama series to be played on television.

“Government should at least make the Theatre Club venue accessible at no cost for actors to use to perfect their craft,” he said.

He said another contributing factor that caused people not to support theatre was that it was not something they were accustomed to.
He said there were no art schools that enabled artists to grow in theatre production.

“Nothing about theatre should be sub-standard. Theatre requires directors, set designers, sound, and lighting, all of which need money.

“We urge government to support us so we are able to tell our own stories,” he said.
He commended government for the collaboration that is on the cards for the film industry with Ferguson Films stated that exposure was key as artists could not develop within their own back yard.

He added that they too were in the process of taking artists outside the country, which is an initiative they would see through next year.

...More workshops coming - ENCAC’s Stanley

ESWATINI National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) Chief Executive Officer  Stanley Dlamini says they will be hosting more workshops to encourage the growth of theatre productions in the country.

He stated that they had already done two workshops for the youth. He said the office was spending time and money towards interventions and equipping the youth with the right skills for their growth in different artistry.  

Plays
“As we continue to do workshops, we expect to see the plays from the regional theatre groups, where they will put into action the knowledge they have acquired.

It is unfortunate that we only have one theatre stage in the country but we cannot let that bring us down but we will instead use the spaces we have to see these plays from the youth,” said Dlamini.

Spaces
He appreciated stakeholders such as Siteki Town Council and others who opened their hands for the use of auditorium spaces to host such productions.
He added that there should be investments for at least each region to have a theatre house in future.

Plays to resume
in three months

THEATRE plays will make a comeback with season two to start in August.
This was revealed by Twilight Theatre Concepts founder and director Larry Mhlanga.

The theatre plays were  last hosted at Eswatini Theatre Club last year.
Mhlanga said they were working hard to bring back the plays after the success record last year.

“We are waiting for the winter season to pass as it is very hard for people to go out when it is cold,” he said.

Mhlanga said they were very happy with the first season and had started engagements with stakeholders on season two. They were excited to host both international and local plays for the public.

“We are in the process of engaging local theatre productions and trust that we will be received well so we are able to have local content as part of the plays to be seen this season, “ said Mhlanga.

Twilight Theatre Concepts is an initiative that was introduced to ensure that more plays from around the world find their way to local audiences.

It aims to use its resources to inspire local creatives through hosting a series of mainstream theatre plays monthly.

Last year the concept started the journey with renowned South African play, ‘Woza Albert’.  The play featured two top SA actors, Hamilton Dhlamini who has featured on a number of stages and TV productions including ‘Diep City’ on Mzansi Magic and Thulani Mtsweni, who played Bongani on ‘Gomora’.

It was followed with a production tilted ‘An Act of Man’ that was a Zimbabwean production which featured successful multi award winning and well-travelled actor Zenzo Nyathi.

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