The Currency to debut in Francistown
Keneilwe Ramphopho | Friday February 2, 2018 17:01
Launching at the Civic Centre, the play is produced by Empowered Directors.
The first of its kind to be launched in the second city, the play is expected to captivate the audience as it addresses issues of financial literacy and also covers topics such as financial management.
The play’s director, writer and producer, Lionel Nkosi told Arts & Culture that their plan is for the play, which will be in English, to premiere at international festivals in order to reach a wider audience.
Explaining why he insists the play to be corporate, Nkosi further said: “We are commercialising the theatre industry. This is to complement what has been happening and lagging (behind) in our country.
“Most graduates fail to go beyond commercialising their skills without waiting to get financial assistance from government. The play will address this issue.”
Nkosi extolled President Ian Khama for initiating the President’s Day Competitions adding that the competitions have helped groom artists into commercialising their skills.
“We are now able to put food on our tables beyond the President’s Day Competitions and contribute to the theatre industry. The play is another way of complementing President Khama for the initiative,” Nkosi said. Two brilliant young actors will headline the play. It will feature the current national best actor, Thembani Mphapho and seasoned actor, Kwenze Poelo Nguni.
Nguni has represented the country previously in international festivals at Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Germany.
The Currency will also highlight issues of greed and betrayal. The characters will unlock the secrets that separate the rich and poor, said Nkosi.
The play, Nkosi said, was motivated by the misconception that exists of why some people are poor and others are rich and why some blame others for not achieving their goals.
The masterpiece will cater for families and will be both educational and entertaining.
Nkosi also bemoaned the fact that while the film and arts industry is growing in neighbouring countries, it is not developing just like the music sector in the country.
He said the film and arts industry has the potential to attract tourists to Botswana with great benefits to the government and private sector.
Nkosi added that they are expecting guests from the United States of America (USA) and Zimbabwe to attend the play’s premiere.
The director’s dream is to have his own theatre where plays can constantly be ran and open to the public to promote acting and commercialising actors’ skills.