Theatre lovers in Blantyre were on Sunday treated to an afternoon of laughter, courtesy of the country’s renowned stage drama performers who have teamed up to raise funds for the construction of houses of survivors of Cyclone Freddy.

The ensemble has been on a performance trail from Lilongwe with a play titled Mwanayu ndi Wanu written by renowned actor Michael Usi.

The actors captured in action at Robin’s Park

The cast at Robin’s Park included Usi, who is also Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Bon Kalindo, Charles Mphoka, Ruth Simika, MacBain Kochi, Linda Chatha, Mafumu Matiki, Enifa Chiwaya, Margaret Chikwembeya and Jeremiah Mwaungulu.

Speaking during the event, Usi thanked the sizeable audience who went to watch the performance, saying he appreciates their contributions towards the cause.

He said: “We’re grateful for whatever people give us. It is the heart that matters and anything we gather will take us a long way. We’re thinking of going to Zomba and Mzuzu. Those are our plans and we hope they will materialise.”

Usi said he was impressed with the performance of the cast, considering that the storyline for the Blantyre act had been altered to suit the audience.

He said: “I’m very impressed with the way that my fellow actors embraced the change. And if we take this play back to Lilongwe, you will see that some of the scenes and lines will not be there. It shows the maturity of the cast and that they can adjust.”

The minister also pledged to use his position and influence to unite the country’s artists in climate change advocacy.

“Although I am not the minister responsible, I will be talking to my colleague that what I started should continue. We are going to put pressure that Blantyre Cultural Centre is reopened for performances,” said Usi.

The play tries to define a family as an institution that can exist with just man and woman even without the gift of a child. It advises others to stay out of the affairs of people who are married and living happily, with or without children.

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