A raw and riveting Zambian production, The Last Sunset, opened to critical acclaim this week at Theatre in the Park, drawing audiences into an emotional tale that confronts love, loss, and the complexities of mental health.
The play officially opened on Wednesday and continues its run with a special showing on June 6, 2025, at 6 PM. With tickets going for just US$5, this emotionally charged production is both accessible and unforgettable.
A powerful two-hander, The Last Sunset features award-winning performers Paul Selenge, nominated for Best Actor at the 2024 National Theatre Association of Zambia Awards, and Dyness Daisy Lungu, named Best Actress at the 2023 Senior Festival.
The two actors seamlessly transition between three roles each, showcasing their exceptional range and emotional depth.
Directed and conceptualized by Francis Malunga, the play is inspired by a deeply personal and urgent issue: the rising cases of suicide and mental health challenges in Zambia.
“What inspired me was the increase in suicide cases in my country,” Malunga explains. “There is so much stigma around mental health. I wanted to explore that struggle through art, to start a conversation.”
At its heart, The Last Sunset is the story of Angela, a woman shattered by a broken engagement and an unplanned pregnancy.
Rejected by her child’s father and emotionally abandoned by her devoutly religious parents, she finds herself teetering on the brink.
As she prepares to end her life at a public park, she encounters Bob — a bitter, disillusioned man who blames women for his loneliness.
What unfolds is an intense emotional duel — part confrontation, part confession — as two lost souls battle their inner demons and unexpected attraction.
Bob, touched by Angela’s vulnerability, makes a spontaneous proposal, offering her a path out of the darkness. But as depression looms, the question remains: will love be enough to save her?
With a hauntingly beautiful script and magnetic performances, The Last Sunset is both a searing social commentary and a tribute to resilience in the face of despair.
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