By Tawonga Sesani
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s Popular theatre ensemble, Kwathu Drama Group has blamed the hospitality industry for doing too little to improve and upgrade the status of stage performances in the country.
Artistic director for Kwathu, Erick Mabedi has declared in an interview arguing that most hotels are being constructed without regard to the growth of theatre in the country.
According to Mabedi, all things being equal, the hospitality industry needed to be key to the growth of the theatre and arts industry in the country.
“One thing that is killing Malawis theatre industry is lack of support and partnership from the hospitality industry. You will notice that no hotel in town has theatre facilities. How do we expect the country’s industry to grow then if the hospitality sector is not being supportive?
“Most people have blamed the theatre industry for refusing to die but we are not a problem. We need support,” said Mabedi.
In recent years Malawi has witnessed a decline in drama performances.
Besides the country witnessing a decline in number of drama groups a development which is starving theatre lovers of their glorious past when they could have such performances almost on monthly basis.
In this regard, Mabedi popularly known also as Jakobo has called on the hospitality investors to consider allocating finances towards construction of theatre spaces in the hotels to promote arts in the country.