The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy’s Speech and Drama studio at St. Peters‘ Anglican Hall in Area 3, opens for the next term on 28th April, 2012.
The Grand Premiere of ” Loving the Monster” by PACE Theatre Company
There are four days to go, before the Grand Premiere of “Loving the Monster”, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov‘s “The Bear” at the Courtyard (Akulenje Inn), behind Game/Pep Stores in Lilongwe.
Anton Chekhov, a Russian dramatist and short-story writer, was born on January
17, 1860 in Southern Russia. His art has been described as psychological but his
psychology ignores the individual. He is almost universally regarded as the greatest
Russian writer and as the greatest story-teller and dramatist of modern times. “Loving the Monster” is an interesting humorous adapation of his play, “The Bear.” So, the adaptation of Chekhov’s thrilling former play, “Loving the Moster” is about a Malawian widow, Ellena Pamawa. The play is set in Chilumba in northern Malawi. The characters in the play are highly emotional. The play is a criticism on the hypocrisy in human beings. There are sudden switches from hatred and dislikeness to love and likeness. Both sustain with equal prowess at their assigned moments!
Related articles
- Anton Chekhov is A Sexy Beast (thefactotumblog.wordpress.com)
- Popular Chekhov play gets fresh treatment for audiences in Tokyo (japantimes.co.jp)
The Premiere of “Loving the Monster” by Pace Theatre Company of Mzuzu
Watch PACE Theatre Company of Mzuzu performing “Loving the Monster”, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Bear” at the Courtyard (Akulenji Inn), behind Game and Pep Stores in Lilongwe, on Saturday, 31st March, 2012, from 2:30pm. The play has been adapted and directed for PACE Theatre Company, by Felix Millowa. “Loving the Monster” will be curtain raised by end of term performances by students of Helen O’Grady Drama Academy with “The Ketchup Bottle” and “The Tie”. Entry fee is MK500 per Head. It’s about “Obsessive Love hatched by Perpetual Hatrade.” See you all there!
Where to, from Here? : A Conversation from the Sidelines
This is a conversation between little known artists in Malawi, Felix Millowa, Actor, Playwright, Theatre and Film director with and Jôsé Mhango, Actor, Writer, Social Media and IT Specialist, and Film director. They discussed on one of the most popular, worthiest but ignored potential industries for Malawi. Film Making……..Here is some of the issues in brief:
Felix: How goes your life bro?
Jôsé : I’m alright, taking it day by day. how’re you?
Felix: I am good, just trying my best..Anything going on artistically, for you?
Jôsé: Not really, just reading production books, I’m more interested in film directing…..what are you doing?
Felix: That’s the direction we all have to consider….you see, the stage theatre reputation may be restored…but we have to acknowledge that for now…the Malawi entertainment patrons’ habits have evolved.
Jôsé: Yes, habits have evolved world over. in our case, we are failing to co-evolve because we are intimidated by technology. we have access to resources, albeit limited resources, but what we really lack is creativity with media.
Felix: When I talk of knowledge adjustment in the theatre arts industry, people think that I brag for nothing! I tell you, if artists will not flex to learn….there will be no growth…even if a thousand workshops are held. Which page of the film directing book, are you reading today?
Jôsé: Iam on lighting…. facsinating art!
Felix: That’s my worry….do we have the special lights and sun shades/ canopies…large ambrellas for film available cheaply?
Jôsé: Not cheap at all, and thats not all, you then have to know how to ably handle the system. to have it is one thing, to use it well is a whole different ball game.
Felix: That’s very very true…..how many more guys are interested in this? Can we team up/create a special discussion group on film development by theatre rooted artists?
Jôsé: That would be nice. but im not very connected. a good group would have to consist of people who’ll really bring rich ideas. something reputable, that means thresholds have to be set. if you look at the Theatre Malawi group, very few people contribute, because people just join for the fun of it. then it just becomes a campaign tool for greedy NTAM enthusiasts. if we can come up with a good group concept, and get e few knowledgeable people interested, we’d start something special.
Felix: I am connected a number of talented but unknown people such as: (names withheld).
Jôsé: Sounds like a good team, what platform would we use to connect? facebook, twitter, Google, standalone website?
Felix: Easy way for Malawi…..technologically for Malawi, as you said ealier, we are not yet/or we are adjusting slowly….is Facebook…..its ideal…..I would have suggested likedln…because its highly intellectual…I am a member in several Enterprenuership and Social media marketing Discussion groups…..but for a start…Facebook seems ideal…
Jôsé: Thats fine, if the people in question are on it.
Felix: We should sell the idea and lure them to be on it……./the problem is…..politics….nobody may want us to touch them….we are aspirants…and they feel threatened….that’s why we have to concentrate on learning…and learning humbly……The best politics on our side is to accept that we are small-timers and learn and learn more and work quietly……keep it simple….no accolades….
Jôsé: Good work. so, as a forum, what is it we’d aim to be the entry point discussion? I’d like us to have a theme and goals to achieve as we gain knowledge along the way. People need to have a good reason to join our group.This is a conversation between little known artists in Malawi, Felix Millowa, Actor, Playwright, Theatre and Film Director with and Jôsé Mhango, Actor, Writer, Social Media and IT Specialist, and Film maker. They discussed on one of the most popular, worthiest but ignored potential industries for Malawi. Film Making……..Here is some of the issues in brief:
Felix: How goes your life bro?
Jôsé : I’m alright, taking it day by day. how’re you?
Felix: I am good, just trying my best..Anything going on artistically, for you?
Jôsé: Not really, just reading production books, I’m more interested in film directing…..what are you doing?
Felix: That’s the direction we all have to consider….you see, the stage theatre reputation may be restored…but we have to acknowledge that for now…the Malawi entertainment patrons’ habits have evolved.
Jôsé: Yes, habits have evolved world over. in our case, we are failing to co-evolve because we are intimidated by technology. we have access to resources, albeit limited resources, but what we really lack is creativity with media.
Felix: When I talk of knowledge adjustment in the theatre arts industry, people think that I brag for nothing! I tell you, if artists will not flex to learn….there will be no growth…even if a thousand workshops are held. Which page of the film directing book, are you reading today?
Jôsé: Iam on lighting…. facsinating art!
Felix: That’s my worry….do we have the special lights and sun shades/ canopies…large ambrellas for film available cheaply?
Jôsé: Not cheap at all, and thats not all, you then have to know how to ably handle the system. to have it is one thing, to use it well is a whole different ball game.
Felix: That’s very very true…..how many more guys are interested in this? Can we team up/create a special discussion group on film development by theatre rooted artists?
Jôsé: That would be nice. but im not very connected. a good group would have to consist of people who’ll really bring rich ideas. something reputable, that means thresholds have to be set. if you look at the Theatre Malawi group, very few people contribute, because people just join for the fun of it. then it just becomes a campaign tool for greedy NTAM enthusiasts. if we can come up with a good group concept, and get e few knowledgeable people interested, we’d start something special.
Felix: I am connected a number of talented but unknown people such as: (names withheld).
Jôsé: Sounds like a good team, what platform would we use to connect? facebook, twitter, google, standalone website?
Felix: Easy way for Malawi…..technologically for Malawi, as you said ealier, we are not yet/or we are adjusting slowly….is Facebook…..its ideal…..I would have suggested likedln…because its highly intellectual…I am a member in several Enterprenuership and Social media marketing Discussion groups…..but for a start…Facebook seems ideal…
Jôsé: Thats fine, if the people in question are on it.
Felix: We should sell the idea and lure them to join it……./the problem is…..politics….nobody may want us to touch them….we are aspirants…and they feel threatened….that’s why we have to concentrate on learning…and learning humbly……The best politics on our side is to accept that we are small-timers and learn and learn more and work quietly……keep it simple….no accolades….
Jôsé: Good work. so, as a forum, what is it we’d aim to be the entry point discussion? I’d like us to have a theme and goals to achieve as we gain knowledge along the way. People need to have a good reason to join our group.
Felix: This should be a brainstorming forum….incorporating unknown people….nobody should feel threatened…..Those experimentin in animation, those fluffing with screen writing….those trying out with home cameras….makeup artists working in beauty parlors but who have no idea they can extend and work for film too.
Jôsé: So.. do you know any animators?
Felix: personally know a number of animators…yes
Jôsé: I’ve been interested in it…. just dont have the time , but its a good field. cheap once you have the software, all you have to do is drawing and sequence images. i have some great software but time is a limiting factor.
Felix: This should be a brainstorming forum….incorporating unknown people….nobody should feel threatened…..Those experimenting in animation, those fluffing with screen writing….those trying out with home cameras….makeup artists working in beauty parlors but who have no idea they can extend and work for film too.
Jôsé: So.. do you know any animators?
Felix: personally know a number of animators…yes
Jôsé: I’ve been interested in it…. just don’t have the time , but its a good field. cheap once you have the software, all you have to do is drawing and sequence images. I have some great software but time is a limiting factor.
helenogradyartsmalawi 