Vigil visits Shakespeare’s Globe

Highlight of the week was a visit by Vigil supporters to the Globe Theatre on the south bank of the Thames for a performance in Shona of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona (translated as Vakomana Vaviri ve Zimbabwe). It was part of a festival to mark the Queen’s jubilee during which Shakespeare’s thirty-seven plays are being performed in thirty-seven languages.

We at the Vigil were invited to attend free as ‘groundlings’ – standing as in Shakespeare’s time in the ‘yard’ open to the skies – and open also to the rain which duly came. Fortunately we had a supply of bush hats from Tropical Head Gear of Bulawayo to protect us from the worst. Someone commented that we looked like a bunch of ‘old Rhodies’!

The production was described as a two-man Zimbabwean riot of love, friendship and betrayal. It certainly lived up to this description. Here are comments from some Vigil people:

• It was hilarious. Laughed throughout the entire show. Was very proud to be Zimbabwean. Reminded me of home. Denton and Tonderai were fantastic. What a day. Will remember this as long as I live! – Fungayi Mabhunu.

• A two-man cast who superbly played all the characters in the play. I really enjoyed it – Louisa Musaerenge.

• What a good performance! Switching to different characters by change of a glove, scarf, hat, and massive suitcase. It was good fun with the Vigil group joining in to some of the music we know – Josephine Zhuga.

• The cast was brilliant. The play itself reflects natural social events, and the people who came from the Vigil to support were marvelous. I am sure that everyone enjoyed themselves – Bernard Hukwa.

• It was a masterpiece which was well delivered by Denton and Tonderai. Very exciting. Shona at its best – Edward Mutamiswa.

• What I can only say is we had a wonderful time. It was worthy. I really enjoyed ‘Dai varume vakatendeka’. We did learn a lot and were greatly privileged to meet the cast – Nancy Makaza (who is related to Denton).

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