Celebration Zoë brings ‘New Dawn’
Oct 14, 2004
IT is a story of retribution and betrayal, the classical ills of our society, and the power of clemency that brings forth a new dawn, which is in fact the title of the play.
By Raphael Okello
IT is a story of retribution and betrayal, the classical ills of our society, and the power of clemency that brings forth a new dawn, which is in fact the title of the play.
The play, A new Dawn, is acted by a Kampala Pentecostal drama group, Celebration Zoë.
Set in fictitious Caribbean islands, the play begins with a heated but silent family fight between husband and wife. The deliberate absence of voices creates suspense.
The husband, Migo (Dickson Kwesiga), is abandoning his family. The reason for the fight is shown in a flashback with shocking revelations: Migo raping his daughter and battering his wife.
Migo’s departure casts the family into poverty and their only saviour comes in Mandia (Benon Katende), a wealthy uncle who does not turn out lesser devil than Migo.
He marries Mama but rapes his now 17-year-old niece, Jamilia.
Her mother, Mama (Vivian Kakunda), gets a nervous break down and commits suicide. She believes Jamilia betrayed her love and seduced the uncle.
Jamilia relocates to Acamen, an island governed by ruthless and disgruntled women who never want to any male.
The women’s superior, Costanza (Stella Bamanyaki), is a hard-faced tyrant who dedicates seven years to initiate Jamilia into discovering her evil self.
She forms a coalition and seeks retribution. The battalion raids Jamilia’s former island of abode and sniffs out Migo and Mandia. Migo is brutally murdered and just as Mandia is about to be killed, Kezmon (Gilbert Nkamwesiga), a friend talks her out of it with a message of hope and forgiveness.
Although the playwright succeeds in piecing up a contemporary morality play, the director fails to create a genuine Carribean feel in the play. The Carribean accent, setting and costume are not consistent
The strength of the play, however, lies in its universal appeal.
The play will staged in Entebbe Pentecostal Church, St. Francis Chapel Makerere and different schools.
Ends
IT is a story of retribution and betrayal, the classical ills of our society, and the power of clemency that brings forth a new dawn, which is in fact the title of the play.
The play, A new Dawn, is acted by a Kampala Pentecostal drama group, Celebration Zoë.
Set in fictitious Caribbean islands, the play begins with a heated but silent family fight between husband and wife. The deliberate absence of voices creates suspense.
The husband, Migo (Dickson Kwesiga), is abandoning his family. The reason for the fight is shown in a flashback with shocking revelations: Migo raping his daughter and battering his wife.
Migo’s departure casts the family into poverty and their only saviour comes in Mandia (Benon Katende), a wealthy uncle who does not turn out lesser devil than Migo.
He marries Mama but rapes his now 17-year-old niece, Jamilia.
Her mother, Mama (Vivian Kakunda), gets a nervous break down and commits suicide. She believes Jamilia betrayed her love and seduced the uncle.
Jamilia relocates to Acamen, an island governed by ruthless and disgruntled women who never want to any male.
The women’s superior, Costanza (Stella Bamanyaki), is a hard-faced tyrant who dedicates seven years to initiate Jamilia into discovering her evil self.
She forms a coalition and seeks retribution. The battalion raids Jamilia’s former island of abode and sniffs out Migo and Mandia. Migo is brutally murdered and just as Mandia is about to be killed, Kezmon (Gilbert Nkamwesiga), a friend talks her out of it with a message of hope and forgiveness.
Although the playwright succeeds in piecing up a contemporary morality play, the director fails to create a genuine Carribean feel in the play. The Carribean accent, setting and costume are not consistent
The strength of the play, however, lies in its universal appeal.
The play will staged in Entebbe Pentecostal Church, St. Francis Chapel Makerere and different schools.
Ends