Ent. & Lifestyle
When chaos becomes a rhythm
The story is told in a series of flashbacks, as we eventually learn what really happened that fateful night when Pirimpi lost his life. While Kagimu is addressing the unfair and unequal treatment of women in society, it is a partial and gripping whodunnit in vintage Agatha Christie style.
Aganza Kisaka as Kimuga in the play Rhythm of My Chaos by Kaya Kagimu, at the National Theatre last Friday. (Photo by Kalungi Kabuye)
By: Kalungi Kabuye, Journalist @New Vision
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Theatre in Uganda has traditionally leaned on comedy to carry its message. When Ugandans bought tickets, they came expecting one thing, a good laugh. Playwrights understood the assignment, and for years our stages were packed with clowning, antics, and exaggerated acting. So much so that every time I travelled to South Africa, I couldn’t wait to get my fix of ‘serious’ theatre, the kind which was more than punchlines and twisted faces.
But I’m glad to report that I no longer have to wait for a journey down south for some serious theatre, as I attended one at our own National Theatre on Friday. Kaya Kagimu’s Rhythm of Chaos made its delayed appearance on Friday, the initial run being cancelled because of Ebola restrictions.
In the play, Aganza Kisaka acts as Kimuga, a housewife who is serving a prison sentence for the killing of her husband, Pirimpi. How she got to that point, and what happens afterwards, is the chaos that is referred to in the title. It is essentially about the chaos that follows women’s lives in our society, and the fact that it happens again and again develops something of a rhythm.
The all-female cast of 3 take on several different roles as Kimuga’s story is told, including those of male characters. Alina Camilla takes on the roles of Pirimpi (Kimuga’s husband), Beautiful Eyes (the cause of much of Kimuga’s chaos), Nansinkombi, and Patu. Patience Nakamanya is Pumula (owner of the village pub), Ponsiano (protector of the women), Kate, Wilutu and Vicky.
In the play, Aganza Kisaka acts as Kimuga, a housewife who is serving a prison sentence for the killing of her husband, Pirimpi. How she got to that point, and what happens afterwards, is the chaos that is referred to in the title. It is essentially about the chaos that follows women’s lives in our society, and the fact that it happens again and again develops something of a rhythm.
The all-female cast of 3 take on several different roles as Kimuga’s story is told, including those of male characters. Alina Camilla takes on the roles of Pirimpi (Kimuga’s husband), Beautiful Eyes (the cause of much of Kimuga’s chaos), Nansinkombi, and Patu. Patience Nakamanya is Pumula (owner of the village pub), Ponsiano (protector of the women), Kate, Wilutu and Vicky.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks, as we eventually learn what really happened that fateful night when Pirimpi lost his life. While Kagimu is addressing the unfair and unequal treatment of women in society, it is a partial and gripping whodunnit in vintage Agatha Christie style.
The simplicity of the production is especially impressive, and its largely the same set that is used throughout the 90-minutes of the play. The acting was brilliant, and although it is very serious theatre, there are moments of hilarity that provide some comic relief.
Walking out of the National Theatre last Friday, I was happy I don’t have to wait till the South Africans figure out how to save their jobs. Rhythm of Chaos is serious, honest, and maybe a little uncomfortable - but it is told really well by the three women cast and a director. After those 90 minutes, I knew Ugandan theatre has grown up. Thank you, Kaya.
The simplicity of the production is especially impressive, and its largely the same set that is used throughout the 90-minutes of the play. The acting was brilliant, and although it is very serious theatre, there are moments of hilarity that provide some comic relief.
Walking out of the National Theatre last Friday, I was happy I don’t have to wait till the South Africans figure out how to save their jobs. Rhythm of Chaos is serious, honest, and maybe a little uncomfortable - but it is told really well by the three women cast and a director. After those 90 minutes, I knew Ugandan theatre has grown up. Thank you, Kaya.