Afri Talent’s old wine in new bottles

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The Afri Talent drama group is shedding off its old skin. However, not everything old is being thrown away. The group is reviving its old plays. Last weekend, it opened Gogolimbo at Bat Valley Theatre, which was a run away hit in the early 2000s.

What has largely changed is the cast. Only a few stars from the original cast have made a comeback, notably Abbey Mukiibi, Ahmad Mwanja and Herbert Nsubuga. There are new faces, who are acting to impress.

It is a play of love and greed. Hajji Bunkedeko (played by Ahmad Mwanja) is a rich polygamous man. Despite his wealth, he has only one son, Hamza (played by Josh Bugembe), who becomes the target of his greedy wives and friends. Not satisfied with two wives, Bukendeko plans to marry two others, to the dismay of the current set. Already, the older wife Sumini (Sharifah Nankya) does not cross paths with the younger one, Mariam (Mary Nakyanzi). Bukendeko is advised to first manage the two wives before he thinks of getting others, but he will not listen.

Hajji Bunkedeko (Ahmad Mwanja) and his wives plus children trying to save Hamza Bunkedeko's life in the play Hotel Gogolimbo. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

However, it is the subplot that is more interesting. Josh returns from abroad, and tries to make his father’s business, Hotel Gogolimbo, more profitable by reducing waste and cutting off redundant workers. It is an uphill task, and is bitterly fought. Mugalasi (Herbert Nsubuga) a close friend to Bunkedeko is not aligned to Josh’s programs and plans his murder. The reason he gives for killing him is that the son was soon assuming authority over his father’s property, which he had earlier presumed to have a right over.

Hajjati Mariam (Mary Nakyanzi) talking to her daughter who had just graduated in the play Hotel Gogolimbo. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

Mukiibi, as director, makes the best of the new actors. Christine Natukunda, playing waitress, has great promise and she is set for bigger roles. It is Bugembe who faces the toughest test here. In quite a central role, he mostly comes off as meek.

“The cast is much younger because we are following our succession plan. We are trying to bring new actors to take centre stage,” says Mukiibi. He adds that reviving these old plays not only helps in having continuity in the theatre but also provides a platform for the young cast to explore their talents.