THE National Arts Merit Awards nominated production, Molly Street, has been selected to be part of the prestigious Edinburgh Festival, slated to take place in Scotland this August.
The Edinburgh Festival, widely acknowledged as the largest arts celebration in the world, is an annual three-week event that transforms Edinburgh into a cultural hub, attracting performers and audiences from across the globe.
For the first time in nine years, a Zimbabwean theatre piece will grace the prestigious festival.
“This is a monumental moment for us as Zimbabwean artists,” Writer and Film Director, Mr Peter Churu said.
“We are thrilled. It has been nearly a decade since a local production made it to Edinburgh. The last time was with Lamentations, an exceptional two-woman play by Gertrude Munhamo, which earned a remarkable four-star rating. To follow in those footsteps is both humbling and exciting.”
The production stars actress Ms Chidochangu Jo Anne Tenga, alongside Mr Patrick Tembo, a seasoned percussionist and musical director.
The duo is scheduled to perform the play for local audiences in Harare this Thursday and Friday, as part of the final preparations before their journey to Scotland.
“We are elated to be staging this performance tomorrow as we prepare for Edinburgh. Opportunities such as these are rare in our profession, especially for productions emerging from Zimbabwe. We urge fellow Zimbabweans to attend the show in their numbers and experience it before it reaches the international stage,” Mr Tembo said.
Molly Street was released last year and showcases how African justice systems work, hence the need for its appreciation.
The play is based on a true story about a crime of passion set in early 1960 in the sugar plantation town of Chiredzi in which a woman, Molly is murdered by her boyfriend.
As Zimbabwe prepares to be represented once again on one of the world’s most esteemed cultural platforms, Molly Street stands as a testament to the enduring power and relevance of local storytelling on the global stage.
