Two Gents in residency at Harare’s Reps Theatre
Two Gents Productions is going to Zimbabwe! Not only to kick off our international tour of Vakomana Vaviri Ve Zimbabwe OR Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA – April 28 – May 3), but also to develop a new piece of work in collaboration with other Zimbabwean artists at the Harare Reps Theatre for three to four weeks in May. A new piece which we will then bring back to London and develop for full production. Dzoka! is your opportunity to see some of the material we are planning to develop in Zimbabwe.
The British Council is paying for our flights to Zimbabwe and we have applied for some additional funding from the Arts Council England, but essentially – since HIFA can not affor paying fees and wages for visiting companies – we are funding this trip ourselves. Thankfully, Oval Theatre made their space and staff available for our fundraiser, free of charge (!) and ticket sales will go straight towards funding our trip.
Zimbabwe is no longer as affordable as it once was. We do hope, however, that our friends and family will help us keep costs to a minimum, but – especially as visitors from the UK – we can not rely entirely on their hospitality and generosity. So if you would like to make any additional contribution to our trip, please feel free to get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!
It has been over five years since we last visited Zimbabwe – for Denton and Tonderai, that is, as it is Arne’s first time to Zimbabwe. Now that our cultural heritage has become a major asset in our artistic output, we believe that a deliberate examination of our home culture is an ideal starting point for the development of new work.
What is more, this trip is a great opportunity for us to make our own contribution to the wonderful work that HIFA and our counterparts in Harare are doing to keep the arts alive and kicking in Zimbabwe.
Remember to check back at the Oval House for news of our return performance in June.
We would like to thank Oval House Theatre and all their staff for generously providing their time, space and support in this project.
No Comments »11/04/2009 by Arne