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Starter Pack back to FFC
By
Phillip Banda - 10-05-2002 |
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Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre, with their latest play Starter Pack, are back in business in Blantyre this Sunday afternoon at the French Cultural Centre.
The play is a thorn in the flesh to many politicians, irresponsible fathers, and carefree students because of the themes it is tackling.
It is a story of a young man David (Jeremiah Mwaungulu) whose father wanted him aborted when his mother was pregnant.
David is living in abject poverty when the father Goliati (Wongani Munthali) is a well known rich personality in town, oblivious of the fact that the abortion did not take place.
Goliati loves women. He frequents Pa Mzinda Bar owned by Nya Mwale (Gertrude Kamkwatira). It is in the bar where he meets David’s mother, who is a prostitute.
The two fall in love but when the concubine’s belly swells, the love for her diminishes. Efforts to abort yield no fruit.
Thirty two years later, David is a big man. If the abortion had been done, he would not have been here today.
David plans to trap his father by using his girlfriend Christina (Phallyce Dinala).
The two are now having fun at Nya Mwale’s place one evening when they see Goliati. David lets loose Christina who moves provocatively in front of Goliati to attract him.
Goliati land in bed with the girl who should have been his daughter in-law.
David takes a few pictures of this important man in society with the young girl in bed.
When David tells his father “I am the foetus you had failed to abort 32 years ago” and threatens to take the photos to media, Goliati is confused.
“Demand anything from me and I will give you” Says Goliati trying to stop his son from damaging his name.
They two agree that the following day David will get what he demanded. However, her keeps the film fearing Goliati may go back on his word while warning “what I am getting tomorrow is only a starter pack.”
The play is not only about irresponsible fathers.
Nya Mwale’s bar is a place for everything.
John Moyokunyenga, playing a teacher, drinks on his student (Chisomo Bwanali) in exchange for better grades in class.
Well known customers are the United Democratic Front (UDF), Alliance for Democracy (Aford) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) figures.
They discuss all issues characterised by conversation and questions such as “What do you think about third term for Muluzi?”, “MCP will never change” and “Aford is a completely lost party”.
According to Wakhumbata’s boss Gertrude Kamkwatira the play is not meant to hurt or annoy anybody.
“I just want to correct people. I just want to say to people ‘let’s be responsible,’” she said in an interview. |
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