Culture: Ibsen through African eyes

The year 2006 marked the 100^th anniversary of the death of the famous Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen. During the commemoration short extracts from Ibsen's plays were performed and "A Doll's House" became very popular with students as well as government educaction officials who recommended that Ibsen be introduced into the school education curriculum.  The cooperation between the Norwegian Embassy in Harare and CHIPAWO has continued and many Zimbabweans have been exposed to Norwegian culture through Ibsen's works.

The New Horizon Theatre is a youth professional theatre company and  part of the CHIPAWO Youth Program. Its aim is to provide training at a professional theatre level and to assist young Zimbabweans to make a living and establish careers in the theatre.  This year the theatre group will present the play "A Doll's House" at "Ibsen Through African Eyes" in Zambia.  The workshop and conference will find place in Lusaka from the 4th to the 10th October 2010.  Speakers, playwrights, artists and other participants from various African countries will participate.

Ibsen was one of the most influential playwrights of his time and his plays challenged societal norms.  While "A Doll's House" did not change society in one step, it did lead to reactions and debate.  The play has been called "the first feminist play".

The Zimbabwean version is adapted to an African audience and Norah will be played by Memory Zidaka and Tongoona by Tinevimbo Chimbetete.  The play asks questions like what would happen to Norah and Tongoona if this happened now in Zimbabwe.  How would any Zimbabwean husband respond to Norah's actions?  Would she be able to fulfil her dream to be her own person?

Written in 1879 this play strayed from the popular format of the times and into a direction that many other authors and playwrights would follow. Many Zimbabweans have been exposed to Norwegian culture through Ibsen's works - and this week even more people in the region will get to know Ibsen's timeless and universal plays.