One Hander International Theatre Festival held its Inaugural Edition
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Loading... - David Kipruto
- 16 Sep 2024
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Zimbabwe recently hosted the inaugural One Hander International Theatre (OHIT) Festival from September 4-7, 2024, celebrating the art of solo performance. This pioneering event brought together solo performers from across Southern Africa, highlighting the power and artistry of one-person shows.
Festival director Shingirai Manyengavana shared the inspiration behind OHIT, emphasizing the goal of creating a global platform for talented solo performers: "We were motivated by the power of solo theatre to captivate audiences through the sheer skill and artistry of a single performer."
The four-day festival featured a diverse line-up of productions from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana, showcasing the region's vibrant theatrical scene. Notable performances included "FACES" by South African artist Nicole Candy Mhlongo, "My Body, A Crime Scene" by Margaret Birkholtz (South Africa), and "7 Dress Africa" by Kealeboga Tsheko (Botswana). Zimbabwean talents also took center stage, with Charity Dlodlo ("Once an Actress"), Chido Joan Tenga ("Molly Street"), and Jasen Mphepo ("A 1000 Miles") delivering powerful performances.
In addition to the main productions, the festival hosted a Theatre Symposium on “Producing and Distributing Theatre Productions in the Digital World,” and a performance workshop led by Zimbabwean artist Cedric Msongelwa, enriching the festival experience for both performers and audiences.
