Kamwi Makes Directing Debut

Writer and director Bret Kamwi is a face theatre lovers will find instantly familiar. An adaptable actor able to lend strong support in ensembles, captivate audiences through soliloquy and prompt pathos in drama, Kamwi is set to crown an increasingly successful acting career with the premiere of ‘Three Sisters’ at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) next Thursday.

‘Three Sisters’ is Kamwi’s professional writing and directing debut after cutting his creative teeth studying music and drama at the University of Namibia, where he wrote and directed the thrillers ‘Resurge’ and ‘The Blood Countess’, Kamwi describes the play as solidly within the realm of religious drama.

“Three sisters is basically a story that follows Chaze, a young girl who goes undercover into a prophet’s house to try and expose him, for what she believes to be fake miracles,” says Kamwi. “What she finds however is more than she could have expected.”

Starring Melgizedek Nehemia as charismatic Prophet Jedediah casually guaranteeing warm spots in heaven, Diana Master as his dangerously loyal wife, and Xavierie M as a skeptical young reporter determined to expose him, ‘Three Sisters’ is inspired by some of Africa’s most famous charlatans.

“The play is inspired by the charismatic African pastors that lure thousands of people into their congregation while benefiting financially from it,” says Kamwi.

“I remember watching a YouTube video of Shepherd Bushiri performing a so-called miracle through an iPad and I realised that people don’t follow these men or women because of who or what they are, they follow them because of the idea of what they can do.”

Directing our attention to Namibia’s high poverty rate and the desperate people who desire some semblance of hope, Kamwi posits that it is the once poor duping the poor.

“Their desire for hope has been exploited by conmen who too are trying to rise above the poverty line,” says Kamwi.

Kamwi, who defines the play as a story of love, loyalty and betrayal, makes the move from actor to professional writer and director.

“When acting you basically only have to worry about yourself and your own performance but when directing you don’t only have to worry about the performances of all the actors but also make sure the story gets told the ‘right’ way. I prefer writing and directing and hope to do more of that in the future.

“It’s hard to pinpoint a single area where I get my inspiration from, because stories usually just end up in my head at some random moments. Sometimes I’ll be writing a story and ideas can come from watching a series, having conversations with friends, or even while meditating and it all just comes together.”

How well it will come together remains to be seen in the play’s three-night run.

“The audience can look forward to some great acting through a wonderful story and some church scenes that will have audience involvement,” says Kamwi before taking a moment to reflect on his national theatre debut.

“It’s almost surreal. There are moments like seeing my name on the poster where I’m like wow this is really happening. If you are a lover of local inspired stories then there is no way you can miss this.”

‘Three Sisters’ is a Theatre Zone production mentored by Sepiso Mwange, on at the National Theatre of Namibia Backstage from 5 to 7 March. Tickets are available from Computicket and at the door.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com