Familiar

On the 19th of September 2019, 6pm Almasi Collaborative Arts presented a staged reading of Familiar by Danai Gurira at Old Mutual Theatre, Alliance Francaise. Directed by Walter Muparutsa Fellow Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi the staged reading had the participation of experienced actors.

Marvelous and Donald, Zimbabwean emigrants in Minnesota, are preparing for the marriage of their eldest daughter, Tendi. They have gracefully blended Zimbabwean culture alongside their American culture, but their house is turned upside down when Marvelous’ sister comes from Zimbabwe to perform a very traditional wedding ceremony. Tensions flare and identities clash as the family’s fabric slowly unweaves and they are forced to take a hard look at who they truly are.

The staged reading of Familiar is part of the Almasi staged reading series.

CAST & CREW

CAST

Eyahra Mathazia

Munyaradzi Guramatunh

Chiedza Rwodzi

Felex Mafumhe Mutasa

Marian Kunonga

Kevin Hanssen

Daniel Hargrove

Jesesi Mungoshi

CREW

Director | Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi

Stage Manager | Prudence Kalipinde

Publicity | Tawanda Mupatsi

Operations Manager | Kudakwashe Kanembirira

Associate Artistic Director | Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa

Stage Directions Reader | Rudo Chakanyuka

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Familiar By Danai Gurira is a master piece. A gem, A masterclass in writing and storytelling in general. It is deep. It is FUNNY! It is indicting. It is very very FAMILIAR!! I relate a LOT to the characters, the story, the mask and the world of this play. The first time I read it, I had a real gutsy visceral response. Real great things happened to my soul, my mind and my body when I was reading it. It is a very exciting world to be in. It is indeed, a huge honour and privilege to be a provocateur in this process of bringing this masterpiece to life in Zimbabwe for the first time. The masterpiece has a very specific world. A world that is full of different shapes, colours, contours and paths. It has its own specific demands in terms of how it wants to be channeled through, and experienced. Some of these demands include : that it needs to be real,as real as life itself, no caricature and playing at. It needs no anecdotal playing, it hates playing to the gallery and hates to be pushed too much in its channeling and invocation.