Banner Left
Banner Right

Molapong set to direct ‘God of Women’, seeks theatre actors

RETURNING … Theatre veteran Keamogetsi Molapong is set to return to the National Theatre of Namibia with a production of Sifiso Nyathi’s ‘God of Women’. Photo: Martha Mukaiwa

After a self-prescribed mainstream hiatus, theatre veteran Keamogetsi Molapong will return to the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) with a production of Sifiso Nyathi’s ‘God of Women’.

“It has been a long, long while since I’ve done a formal, mainstream play. I’m always asked: ‘So, when are we seeing something from you?’. So I’m just trying to answer that question as to when. It’s now,” says Molapong.

For the last few years, the notable theatremaker has been focused on theatre as a tool to preserve and revive endangered languages in rural areas, primarily in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology. The playwright also worked on 26 indigenous language radio plays with NBC Radio.

Having previously directed ‘God of Women’ for a tour in Eswatini and at the national theatre, Molapong returns to the source material with a view to illuminate the Namibian play for English second language pupils for whom it is a prescribed text.

The director also hopes to support efforts to revitalise local theatre, particularly for actors.

Molapong will be holding auditions for ‘God of Women’ this weekend.

Audition dates are Friday, 7 February from 15h00 to 20h00 at the NTN Green Room and Saturday, 8 February from 09h00 to 12h00 at the City of Windhoek Katutura Community Hall. A full list of characters and script excerpts are available at www.ntn.org.na

In a press release, the NTN describes ‘God of Women’ as exploring “the complexities of customary polygamy in Namibian traditional society”.

“The main plot is about an African king who had three wives and was getting a fourth because he wants to have an heir to his kingdom. All his other wives gave him girls so he’s not a happy man. The subplots are the juicy plots where each of his wives has a tale to tell,” says Molapong.

“So, the ‘God of Women’ is not necessarily the chief per se, it’s that spiritual thing that keeps women afloat, that keeps them strong, that keeps them alive despite what’s happening to them,” he says.

“The play is about deception, betrayal, double standards and lies, twisting them in such a way that they look pretty. They look truthful.”

Praising Nyathi’s beautifully written language and the complexity of the subplots, Molapong is particularly interested in demystifying the text and educating actors through the various processes of the production.

“For me, it’s important to revisit ‘God of Women’ because, a lot of the times, teachers don’t understand literary text. I’ve seen this with ‘Master Harold and the Boys’ and ‘Things Fall Apart’,” Molapong says.

“Yes, they know the lines, but the actual essence of the text is misunderstood. And, sometimes, a lot of the pupils only get to know and understand the text as much as the teacher does.”

“My idea is to first start with the actors. For them to understand the play, the text, the depth of the language and how language is used to portray the hidden, untold and subtle stories. Second is to make use of the play to really look at the imagery and the contexts in which some of the scenarios take place,” he says.

For this production, Molapong will employ what he calls processed-based rehearsals.

“The experience of working on this play is for the actor to go back out of this production with a broader understanding of what acting is all about.”

While no intense preparation is required for the auditions, Molapong does have some advice for potential actors.

“It’s a question of being sharp, listening and then trying to respond,” says Molapong.

“I encourage anyone that thinks they can complement the play to audition. It’s not about questioning the play. It’s about being there and being an instrument, being a tool, being a contributor to make the play a reality,” he says.

“Come with an open mind and a collaborative spirit.”

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News