• About us
  • Contribute Content
  • Donate
Monday, January 30, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
No Result
View All Result

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye is edge-of-your-seat theatre at its best.

Tonderai Chiyindiko by Tonderai Chiyindiko
March 12, 2021
in Reviews
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye, written and directed by the refreshingly talented Masai Sepuru was one of the 15 productions staged at the just ended Tembisa Theatre Week which took place at the TX Theatre, in Tembisa. The weeklong theatre festival which was celebrating its 4th year of existence this year prides itself as a platform for new stories, new voices, new talent and as one of the few spaces which showcases unconventional brand-new work.

The story which is set in a fictional yet for some reason familiar-sounding African country features two characters, Professor Samuel Omunye and General Muga Omunye (not related, though the tragic reason for why they share surnames is revealed later in the story) and cleverly pits the two in a heated philosophical debate on questions such as whether humans have freewill vis-a-vis hard determinism and just how much chance, choice or fate plays in the life of human beings and the decisions they make.

See also: Nyokabi Macharia: Marching to the Beat of Her Own Drum

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye is brilliant in that it not only uses these universal questions to frame a deeply African story but goes further to problematise pertinent issues such as colonialism, independence, post-colonialism and how many African countries still grapple with the multiple legacies of these ever-present histories and realities.

James Sithole and Thabang Chauke in The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye written and directed by Masai Sepuru at Tembisa Theatre Week at the TX Theatre in Thembisa. (Nolwazi Mahlangu)
James Sithole and Thabang Chauke in The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye written and directed by Masai Sepuru at Tembisa Theatre Week at the TX Theatre in Thembisa. (Nolwazi Mahlangu)

The two actors who to some degree are representations both of the African politician/academic and the African despot/dictator, perennially caricatured personalities familiar to those who live and follow political events on the continent – as the story forward the two debate quite vociferously whilst there is the small matter of a bomb which might go off at any moment. It is edge-of-your-seat theatre at its very best!

See also: The Empire Builders: A bold experiment in alternative theatre!

Writer and director Masai Sepuru, posits that the idea behind The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye was primarily because of his love for science, objective truth, hard determinism and associated questions hence this was what drove him to write this gripping drama.

For both James Sithole who plays Professor Samuel Omunye and Thabang Chauke who plays General Muga Omunye this story was one neither of them could pass on because it enabled them to combine their unrivalled acting prowess and bring to life this compelling story.

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye written and directed by Masai Sepuru at Tembisa Theatre Week at the TX Theatre
The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye written and directed by Masai Sepuru at Tembisa Theatre Week at the TX Theatre

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye is an African story, which could be staged anywhere on the African continent and still draw the same reactions due to the familiarity of its story and characters, but also how it unpacks complex issues using one could argue the knowledge of the erstwhile colonial master.

See also: The Women Making Waves in Theatre in Africa Part 1

Though brought to life by an all-South African creative team, The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye is quintessentially an African story which stands stall next to others that have sought to rescue the African theatrical narrative from the usual run-on-the-mill mediocrity especially of story; it certainly is one which should be watched on more prominent stages as its portrayal of the continent brings to the fore a sense of why many African countries find themselves in the situations they are even as independence has dawned and yet the spectre of the former colonial regimes looms large and immovable.

The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye written and directed by Masai Sepuru and featuring James Sithole and Thabang Chauke was part of the Tembisa Theatre Week which took place at the TX Theatre in Thembisa from 20 February – 28 February 2021.

Tonderai Chiyindiko

Tonderai Chiyindiko

Tonderai Chiyindiko is a part-time arts writer and contributor. He holds a B.A honours degree in drama from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters degree in Applied Drama from University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He has been part and parcel of the theatre-verse both as an actor and director and more generally worked extensively within the cultural and creative industries sector in various capacities.

Related Posts

Wits Theatre’s Ground Zero //O (or to die) Tackles Historical Trauma and Belonging (Photos supplied by Grealt Cloete)
Reviews

Ground Zero //O (or to die) at Wits Theatre

November 12, 2022
113
Tonderai Munyevu’s Mugabe, My Dad & Me (photos by Jane Hobson)
Features

In Tonderai Munyevu’s Mugabe, My Dad & Me, the Personal Becomes the Political

March 18, 2022
219
Blood Knot by Athol Fugard directed by James Ngcobo.(Photos by Siphiwe Mhlambi)
Reviews

Blood Knot, A 60-Year-Old Message

December 19, 2021
198
Next Post
The Women Making Waves in Theatre in Africa - Philisiwe Twinjnstra

The Women Making Waves in Theatre in Africa Part 2

What people are saying

More Reads

  • People
  • Opinion
  • Festivals
  • Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Reads

  • Uganda's Theatre pioneer Elvania Namukwaya Zirimu

    Uganda’s Elvania Namukwaya who Broke the Glass Ceiling of Theatre

    910 shares
    Share 632 Tweet 116
  • Robert Serumaga: The Pantheon of Uganda’s Theatre in the β€˜70s

    321 shares
    Share 128 Tweet 80
  • 10 Masterpieces in Ugandan Theatre

    688 shares
    Share 504 Tweet 77
  • Namasagali College: How the School Became Uganda’s Arts Hub

    513 shares
    Share 335 Tweet 74
  • Rose Mbowa of ‘Mother Uganda’ and Her Theatre

    438 shares
    Share 270 Tweet 70

Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by @AfriTheatreMag

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

  • Outside the audition room! 

#TheatreMemes #theatre #audition
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this weekend πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦πŸ‡§πŸ‡«πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡³

#TheatreInAfrica #TheatreShows #reelsinstagram #fypγ‚·
  • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Bold 2023 Continental Call

Theme: CLIMATE CHANGE 

Ibua Publishing invites continent-based African writers to send in submissions of creative writing (Short Story (Fiction/Non-Fiction) and Poetry) showcasing the impact of Climate change on their locales across the continent. 

Deadline: 23rd February 2023 

For more information on how to apply visit: https://journal.ibuapublishing.com/continental-calls/
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week. πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬

Seaside Cottage Theater Presents Seaside Cortage  Theatre Melody Hour…..a soothing session of Nigerian Dances, and play reading 

Theme: The role of Art in a time like this! 

Curated by Seun Awobajo 

Date: Saturday January 28, 2023
Location : Seaside Cottage Theatre 
Entrance: Donate what you can 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInNigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ

The crony production 🎭 Whose Wife Are You? 

Date: 27-28 January 2023
Time: 8:30PM on 27th & 3:00PM, 6:30PM on 28th 
Venue: Kenya National Theatre 
Tickets: Ksh 1000 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInKenya πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡§πŸ‡«

Espace Culturel Gambidi presents 
🎭 Les deux mondes A storytelling show for the young audience

Synopsis: "An intrigue that takes place between two parallel worlds: a visible world and an invisible world. A pretty princess, reincarnated as a demi-goddess who once lived in a unique world was sent by her ancestors on a special mission... "

Lyrics, Production and Performance: Tipoko ZONGO

Date: Saturday January 28, 2023
Time: 5 p.m.
Location : Cultural Space Gambidi
Entrance: F1,000 (Children) / F2,000 (Adults)

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInBurkinafaso πŸ‡§πŸ‡«
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡³

El teatro presents Taoufik Jebali
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­

National Theatre of GHANA, NHIITHE Comic production and A wednesday theatre production presents 🎭 My Wife and Me 

Date: 25th January 2023 
Time: 6:00PM 
Venue: Folks place National Theatre 
Rate: single 30GHC | Double 50GHC 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInGhana πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦

The Market Theatre in Association with Carel Nel and The SU Woordfees presents 🎭  Tien Duisend Ton 

Dates: 19 Jan - 05 Feb  2023.
Book your tickets now on 0832464950 / 0784344860

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInSouthAfrica πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #TheatreQuote for this week comes from Prof. Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright, novelist and poet.

#TheatreInAfrica
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Become a partner/Sponsor our work. Email tuvugafritheatre@gmail.com

Β© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Donate

Β© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Donate
Contribute