This September, the stage at Theatre in the Park will play host to an emotional and thought-provoking production titled Two Angry Men, a two-hander play directed by acclaimed theatre practitioner Dr. Kelvin Chikonzo.
Running from September 3 to 6, the play promises a gripping exploration of Zimbabwe’s youth caught between hope and despair, all in the intimate space of a single, stripped-down room.
The play is the brainchild of the late Stephen Chifunyise, a stalwart of Zimbabwean theatre known for timeless works like Rituals and Heal the Wounds.
According to Chikonzo, the production took root during a casual yet profound conversation with producer Daves Guzha.
“Daves wanted to produce one of Chifunyise’s classics and suggested that I could direct it,” recalls Chikonzo.
“I was personally impressed by the manner in which Chifunyise blends a plethora of styles in one play – cyclical and repetitive plot, stories within a story, multiple characters, a pinch of realist drama and agit-prop.
“Combined with the two-hander approach, this style of theatre stimulated great interest in me.”
Though written in the early 1990s, Two Angry Men is as relevant as ever. “The impact of the economy on the youth is hardly a subject of discussion in Zimbabwean theatre,” Chikonzo notes.
“This play centres the struggles, frustrations, delusions, anger, and shattered dreams of the youth in Zimbabwe.”
In line with his passion for post-dramatic theatre, Chikonzo has embraced a minimalist staging approach for this production.
“The empty space functions as a metaphor for the expression of the shattered dreams and nothingness which runs through the lives of Jonas and Simba,” he explains.
“I didn’t want other aspects of production such as décor, costume and lights to divert attention from the story. Any prop we used had to serve multiple functions and have a life of its own.”
This bare-bones approach, while aesthetically bold, comes with its own set of challenges — particularly in a play that unfolds entirely within a single room.
“The greatest challenge was on character transitions and creating different character proposals,” says Chikonzo.
“These actors play a minimum of eight characters each, so we had to create backstories for each one.
“Most importantly, we had to understand the source of frustrations and anger for Simba and Jonas, their specific missions in the play, and other relevant character elements.”
Two Angry Men runs September 3–6 at Theatre in the Park, Harare Gardens. This is more than a play — it’s a mirror held up to society, told through two men, eight voices, and one powerful script.
Whether you’re a theatre buff, a student of society, or simply a curious observer — this is one show that demands to be seen.
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