Arts Views with Thabani H Moyo
IT is daring, there is no sugar coating, and everything is intentionally explicit in order to drive the point home. That is how Elton Sebekhona Sibanda has described his upcoming theatre piece Dick Print that is set to premiere at Bulawayo Theatre.
The play explores toxic masculinity. It interrogates sexual life styles of different men. It narrates sexual journeys and sexual expectations from the world view of men and how society constructs these.
“There is agent need for societal change. Suicide cases is increasing among men. Men are succumbing to a lot of societal pressure but cannot share their problems because society expects them to be tough and strong,” explains Sibanda.
There is need to deal with boys and men issues. Male issues have to be pushed as much as we push women issues. Both genders exist in the same space and sometimes face the same societal, economic, religious and political problems.
“Men are taught to bottle up issues under the common belief of saying ‘indoda ayikhali, indoda ifela ngaphakathi,” realises Sibanda.
Many men are suffocating under cultural beliefs and are dying in silence. This is an issue that Sibanda is addressing through his play. It is time to teach men that it is fine and okay to cry. Men should speak out freely. The play provides that platform and is aimed at provoking discussion around male issues. Sibanda believes it’s a men’s clinic on stage.
When asked about the style and cast of the play Sibanda said the piece is highly experimental. It uses varied theatre techniques in a bid to accommodate everyone.
Sibanda is not sure how the audience will receive the play.
“Our community is deeply rooted in culture and religion which makes it very conservative and rigid to change. The play advocates for change which is necessary for the development of our community now and in the future,” notes Sibanda.
The play is performed by John Mbuyane. It will be his debut solo performance. It will be interesting to see how deep the young actor can go as solo performances are known to be more than demanding.
The play is a strictly no under 18. The language and the content is highly explicitly. Last year audiences were exposed to such works as Vagina Monologues, Vagina Monologues Africa and Sons of Men which were also dealing with issues of female and male sexuality. It will be interesting to see which angle Dick Print takes.
