TWO Zimbabwean theatre productions made waves at the inaugural Theatre Renaissance Cabaret International Festival, which wrapped up in Lilongwe, Malawi, over the weekend.

Writer and Director of “I Wasn’t Built to Break,” Sandra Phiri, says their production seeks to allow for dialogue around issues affecting women, which are rarely discussed publicly.

“The production is an all-female production which looks at the situations females normally face, which are harsh and not openly spoken about. The purpose of the production is to create a space where we can speak openly about issues that women do not normally have a platform to discuss, such as infidelity within the church, infertility, and sexual abuse,” she said.

Another Zimbabwean writer and director at the festival, Aneunhu Gwatidzo, who showcased his production “That Will Suffice,” hailed the platform as key to promoting regional collaborations.

“I think the Theatre Renaissance Cabaret provides an incredible opportunity for African productions. While out here as a Zimbabwean, I had the opportunity to engage with artists and performers from all over the region and all over the world. Already, opportunities have presented themselves in the form of residencies, collaborations, and co-creations of new productions, those opportunities help us sharpen the Zimbabwean voice in the global market,” Gwatidzo noted.

The two productions sparked significant cross-cultural dialogue, aligning perfectly with the festival’s mission to revitalise theatre through global exchange, as a triumphant showcase for Zimbabwean creativity on the international stage.