Shards the play is an adaption of Shards the novella, a NAMA Award-winning work of fiction by Cynthia Marangwanda. It sees the allegorical tale turned into a stage production that verges on horror. At its centre in both storytelling and perfomance is Mhepo, a young woman who is simultaneously a tortured artist, a character experiencing a spiritual awakening and the victim of bewitchment.
As Mhepo's story unfolds through interactions with both family and friends, the play interrogates themes of mental health, corruption, indigenous spiritual systems, sexual promiscuity and political violence. The production grips you with intrigue and its suspenseful nature means there's an unexpected twist at every turn. This tension is cut through by an intermittent sprinkling of humour.
The play's dialogue is rich, and often poetic in its monologues, which adds just the right depth to the characters. The production's choreography is also just as important, making the storytelling equal parts vocal and physical, and captivating from begining to end. Accomodating this is an adaptive set design that sees the closing of one act setting up the scene for the act that comes next, while intergrated into whatever is currently going on.
Shards is not a story of love yet it is presented with passion. One based on a desire for connection and understanding that Mhepo and Pen (Mhepo's friend) especially excel at highlighting. However it is the play writing that is especially brillant here.
There is and ode to Zimbabwean writers of the past in how Dambudzo Marechera regularly appears as a topic of discussion or an example in dialogue. There is a symbolism easily apparent to those familiar with Shona customs and beliefs, and the allegory that was at the heart of the novella reveals itself in the production's ending. The question this play raises is ultimately that; do the ends justify the means as far as amassing wealth is concerned?
Shards the novella was undoubtedly brillant and its adaptation for the stage might be even better. If there is to be one criticism of it, it would that the characters felt like they were constantly shouting, but then again its a story propelled by passion.
Playwright: Cynthia Marangwanda
Director: Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi
Cast: Stacy Dombodzvuku, Nomsa Myth Tavariswa, Michael Kudakwashe, Nasibo, Tafara Nyatsanza