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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent

THE inaugural Geraldine Winter Festival kicked off smoothly last Saturday as Yashar arts group from Bulawayo, revived the theatre sector through a refreshing performance at the Bulawayo Theatre.

The fete that will be streamed virtually after the final show will see eight theatre groups, Yashar, Langelitsha, Cross Roads, Stanslavysky, Roar, Jahunda Community Arts, Vulindlela and Loxion Theatre perform.

The groups will showcase 20-minute to hour-long musical plays that are centered around the theme “Pandemics and their effects on the arts industry”.

Yashar arts group

Today, Cross Roads (Bulawayo) will be the festival’s second act at the Bulawayo Theatre. The show is set to kick off at 6pm. Langelitsha will take to the same stage tomorrow at 6pm.

Jahunda Community Arts will perform tomorrow in Gwanda whereas Roar and Stanslavysky will perform in Bulawayo on June 18 and 19 respectively.

Geraldine Roche projects coordinator, Khaliphile Sibanda said the festival started off well and showed that there is need for leniency for the arts sector in terms of re-opening.

“The first show was a success. Everything started on time with Covid-19 protocols of temperature checks and regular sanitisation being the order of the day. Those who attended had a great time and called for the reopening of the arts sector as they had missed watching theatre productions.

Yashar arts group

“As a festival, we’re promising our audience, nothing but the best entertainment from these talented groups,” said Sibanda.

Geraldine Roche Drama was established as a medium to reach into the community to aid and educate people on social issues while at the same time, providing entertainment. The programme uses drama and film production to deliver messages and education around various subjects of social advocacy. Concurrently it helps develop the talent and aspirations of young people. – @mthabisi_mthire