Writer: Tonderai Munyevu
Director: John R. Wilkinson
As suggested by its title, Mugabe, My Dad and Me, written and performed by Tonderai Munyevu, is a semi-autobiographical piece which takes a deep dive into the topics of politics, family and identity.
Following an ignorant conversation with a white customer at his ‘day job’, Munyevu constructed this self-aware play to confront the lazy assumptions often put to him regarding his origins in Zimbabwe. The piece summarizes his complex thoughts, feelings and experiences surrounding the rise and fall of former Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, British colonialism, and the damaging laws around land ownership in Zimbabwe.
Despite its serious subject matter, the show is surprisingly entertaining and upbeat as Munyevu delivers his exploration of self with tongue-in-cheek humour and a very conversational tone. In fact, before the narrative begins, Munyevu welcomes the audience with stand-up-esque flair which immediately establishes that this personal history lesson will be far from a lecture.
Munyevu is a very likeable storyteller and recounts his experiences with infectious energy and a range of character voices. His narration also feels fresh and off-the-cuff which is, for the most part, a strength of the piece; however he fumbles his words more than a few times and these trips do affect the pace of some sections. In this respect, some spontaneity could be sacrificed for the sake of a slicker performance.
Whilst Mugabe, My Dad and Me has the feel of a solo show, Munyevu is in fact joined onstage by Millie Chapanda, who accompanies the piece beautifully on the mbira. Chapanda is also a character in her own right, addressing the audience to provide additional context, and bouncing off Munyevu with entertaining reactions throughout.
The newly opened Brixton House venue consists of a block of seats set in a steep rake and a simple design by Nicolai Hart-Hansen complements this arrangement. Various items of clothes, ranging from presidential uniform to sports kit, hang from wires above the stage; each empty outfit is the ghost of someone who influenced the man Munyevu has grown into. These figures are placed perfectly in the eyeline of the raised audience and, whilst it is easy enough for the audience to lower their vision to observe Munyevu, it feels equally fitting to study the garments whilst listening to his tale.
Mugabe, My Dad and Me has a strong concept and powerful motivations at its core. For anyone unfamiliar with the political career of Mugabe and the damaging Lancaster House Agreement, the piece, at the very least, provides an important education. There are certainly moments of gold scattered throughout, both humourous and heartfelt; however the production could use an extra layer of polish to secure the audience and future it deserves.
Runs until 1 April 2022
The Reviews Hub Score
Humourous and heartfelt
