By Burnett Munthali
The debate is on, and the answer will be revealed this Saturday when Waz Arts Theatre premieres its latest production, Rev. Bolamoyo, at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe.
Social media has been abuzz with speculation, quickly connecting the play’s title to Bagamoyo, the Tanzanian coastal town referenced in a recent pastoral letter by Malawi’s Catholic bishops. However, the production team has set the record straight.
Speaking in an interview, Production Manager Anthony Masamba clarified that Rev. Bolamoyo is simply the name of a character in the play, with no ties to the Tanzanian town. “The play is a commentary on the political landscape and does not connect to Bagamoyo,” Masamba explained.
Masamba also expressed the team’s desire to rejuvenate the theatre scene in Malawi with this production. “We want to deliver a performance that will remind all theatre lovers that theatre is still alive in Malawi. The idea is to achieve the impact we desire with the message in the play,” he said.
Written by Suzgo Chitete and directed by Jeremiah Mwaungulu, the play promises to be a powerful exploration of social and political themes. The cast features an impressive lineup, including Francis Chimalizeni, Mary Chilongo, Blessings Suya, and Jacqueline Ndlovu.
For theatre enthusiasts, Rev. Bolamoyo is a must-see production that seeks to entertain and provoke thought in equal measure.
