National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) has described 2024 as a mixed bag for theatre.
Ntam President Maxwell Chiphinga, popularly known as Max DC, said myriad drama groups failed to implement projects due to lack of funds.
“We still want more festivals that promote theatre. Due to technology, a lot of things have changed on the ground, in terms of how people consume theatre products, but we have seen, through the performances that have taken place, that people are still in love with this art discipline,” Chiphinga said.
He said they saw the continuation of festivals such as Easter Theatre Festival led by Solomonic Peacocks and the University of Malawi (Unima) Theatre Festival.
He said they were looking forward to the revival of theatre, where many drama groups will be on the market in 2025.
“We want to have drama groups that are active throughout the year. This year, most groups were engaged in civic education activities with the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec).
“Many people may not understand this but theatre artists have been financially starved since Covid and their being hired by Mec is a major boost to their finances,” Chiphinga said.
He hoped for the better following the enactment of some laws.
“We, as an industry, feel that things will change now, especially having seen the passing of the National Arts and Heritage Council (Nahec) Bill in Parliament and, thereafter, President Lazarus Chakwera assented to the bill. This is the greatest thing to have happened to the industry,” the Ntam leader.
He said they were looking forward to the establishment of Nahec.
“We want drama groups to have access to grants with which to run projects and hold performances, create productions that offer entertainment and also tackle issues that affect society in order to bring about positive change. We want more venues for performances,” Chiphinga said.
He bemoaned delays in rehabilitating Blantyre Cultural Centre, formerly French Cultural Centre.
“Our discipline requires proper venues to showcase works and delays in rehabilitation of Blantyre Cultural Centre have been a major drawback in the development of theatre,” Chiphinga said.
