Lovers’ pain and pleasure
Feb 10, 2005
True love is never smooth and Joy Matovu looks at the trials of love in<i> Oluyimba lwa Bagalana.</i>
THEATRE REVIEW
Play: Oluyimba lwa Bagalana
Group: Bakayimbira Dramactors
Playwright: Aloysius Matovu Joy
Directors: Benon Kibuka and Charles ‘Siasa’ Ssenkubuge
Showing at: Pride Theatre
Date: Feb 14, 2005
Reviewed by: Emmanuel Ssejjengo
True love is never smooth and Joy Matovu looks at the trials of love in Oluyimba lwa Bagalana. Freddie Ndawula (Joy Matovu) and Evelyn Stella’s (Brenda Nakato), relationship develops into a pregnancy.
Evelyn’s father, Benon Kibuka, comes from prison to claim his rightful stake in the daughter’s heart. It turns into a Romeo and Juliet tale.
Oluyimba lwa Bagalana is not just about love, but lovers. Esther (Rebecca Namakula), Stella’s young sister, is in love with Freddie. So is Paddy (Wycliff Luyombya), Eddie’s friend, with Stella. The play’s actions fight out of the love-triangle web. The drama wrecks the heart and replaces it with anguish.
Matovu sets the cautious against the environment forces. They are locked up in a serpentine fight that never end. He says 60% of the play is a true story. The play’s passionate acting brings reality to the play. Esther’s passion surpasses the stage and so does Freddie’s.
The play is written in memory of his lost love. “I thought the play should never come up again. It was a touching moment for me,†Matovu says.
Apart from the strong diction and flowing stage emotions, there is little to watch. Since the directors know the play as a Valentine’s item, the characters change into the traditional red and black costumes.
Experience shows that many love affairs and breakages start in the theatre (on the stage and in the audience). For a play that celebrates love even through trials, the timing is right.
The bright colours create a sense of romance. Beyond the main plot is a dark, incestuous subplot. Paddy comes back from abroad to fall in love with Stella. Unknown to them they are brother and sister. It’s a near suicidal moment for their father.
It is a drama that plays on emotions. Running through it would be too painful to bear.
Play: Oluyimba lwa Bagalana
Group: Bakayimbira Dramactors
Playwright: Aloysius Matovu Joy
Directors: Benon Kibuka and Charles ‘Siasa’ Ssenkubuge
Showing at: Pride Theatre
Date: Feb 14, 2005
Reviewed by: Emmanuel Ssejjengo
True love is never smooth and Joy Matovu looks at the trials of love in Oluyimba lwa Bagalana. Freddie Ndawula (Joy Matovu) and Evelyn Stella’s (Brenda Nakato), relationship develops into a pregnancy.
Evelyn’s father, Benon Kibuka, comes from prison to claim his rightful stake in the daughter’s heart. It turns into a Romeo and Juliet tale.
Oluyimba lwa Bagalana is not just about love, but lovers. Esther (Rebecca Namakula), Stella’s young sister, is in love with Freddie. So is Paddy (Wycliff Luyombya), Eddie’s friend, with Stella. The play’s actions fight out of the love-triangle web. The drama wrecks the heart and replaces it with anguish.
Matovu sets the cautious against the environment forces. They are locked up in a serpentine fight that never end. He says 60% of the play is a true story. The play’s passionate acting brings reality to the play. Esther’s passion surpasses the stage and so does Freddie’s.
The play is written in memory of his lost love. “I thought the play should never come up again. It was a touching moment for me,†Matovu says.
Apart from the strong diction and flowing stage emotions, there is little to watch. Since the directors know the play as a Valentine’s item, the characters change into the traditional red and black costumes.
Experience shows that many love affairs and breakages start in the theatre (on the stage and in the audience). For a play that celebrates love even through trials, the timing is right.
The bright colours create a sense of romance. Beyond the main plot is a dark, incestuous subplot. Paddy comes back from abroad to fall in love with Stella. Unknown to them they are brother and sister. It’s a near suicidal moment for their father.
It is a drama that plays on emotions. Running through it would be too painful to bear.