Chanco Travelling Theatre adapts Chimombo’s production

By By Kenneth Zindondo,
contributor

Chanco Travelling Theatre from the University of Malawi (Unima) in Zomba recently reappeared with a play titled M’chiuno Mwa Mwana.

The theatre outfit—made up of, among others, drama students—collaborated with Memories and Illumination Theatre companies to premiere the play, which is an adaptation of Steve Chimombo’s The Rainmaker.

The play excited the audience, with actors putting out impressive performances. Chanco Travelling Theatre President Alfred Kamwendo said the premiere of the production kicked a tour that would take them to various places in the old capital city.

“Through this production, we want to promote indigenous Malawian traditions and sexual education among the youths in different communities,” he said.

Kamwendo said the play journeys into Malawian traditions, seamlessly blended with lessons on sexual education. “This production aims to bring the wisdom of the past into the present, fostering cultural appreciation and learning,” he said.

Drama student Elias Chikonga said he was happy to be part of the production and that he enjoyed it to the fullest.

“Through the play, I learned techniques that can enhance audience immersion, such as breaking the fourth wall. By engaging the audience directly in our performance, we ensured they were active participants in the experience rather than passive observers,” he said.