ACCLAIMED Zimbabwean storyteller Larry Kwirirayi recently announced an upcoming theatrical production in the form of a new play he is writing.
The play will premiere at Theatre in the Park in Harare during the second quarter of the year, marking the playwright’s first production at the venue.
According to a statement released recently, the project marks a significant collaboration between Kwirirayi and the theatre “bringing together his fresh perspective and the venue’s commitment to showcasing innovative, locally-rooted productions”.
“Known for his ability to blend sharp social commentary with compelling storytelling, Kwirirayi is set to create a narrative that resonates with the experiences and complexities of modern-day Zimbabwe,” the statement read in part.
“This production will be the first time he writes specifically for Theatre in the Park and his fans and theatre-goers alike can look forward to a powerful and unique performance,” it added.
Responding to how Zimbabwean stories and experiences can be better represented on stage and in the media, Kwirirayi told NewsDay Life & Style that impactful storytelling lies in crafting entertaining narratives that leave room for audiences to draw their own lessons.
“I think it is about stories which entertain people, to get people to leave their world and experience something else first of all,” he said.
“What they learn at the end of the day is up to them. When the story is written, it belongs to them.”
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The accomplished Zimbabwean media professional is a writer and digital strategist with a diverse portfolio spanning radio, television, podcasts, screenwriting and content creation.
In 2008, he founded the multi-award-winning digital platform 3-mob.com, which has been running for over 16 years.
He has presented, written and produced 12 podcasts, with one of them constituting a set of three drama series for which he lent his voice.
“I just want to write. Writing for me is about getting any story out. I don’t think we write enough. So, I am just going to write,” Kwirirayi added.
As a radio and TV presenter, he has engaged audiences with hard-hitting interviews on ZiFM Stereo.
“Bringing an original story to the iconic Theatre in the Park is going to be fun, I think. I am very curious about how audiences will react to it.
“This production promises to be a significant addition to the cultural landscape, reinforcing the theatre’s role as a hub for meaningful storytelling,” Kwirirayi said.
Tickets and additional details about the play’s release will be available closer to the premiere.
Theatre in the Park director Daves Guzha said they had always wanted to work with Kwirirayi.
“We are excited to have him writing for us finally,” he said.
Among its events in December last year, Theatre in the Park hosted Bulawayo’s iconic play 6th Avenue as well as What We Want, an annual Christmas show for children who are part of Children’s Performing Arts Workshop, an educational, non-profit trust that aims to benefit and empower Zimbabwean children through participatory arts education.
