Water Games (ZW/DE)

An unnamed city is facing a looming health hazard – the drinking water has been contaminated by waste material from leaking sewer pipes. A doctor from the city’s health department has discovered this hazard, and he takes his results to the Mayor with recommendations on how this disaster can be averted. But the Mayor, who is the doctors brother, accuses him of being an alarmist – an enemy of the people.

Water Games is a fresh version of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the people, specially adapted for the current political and social situation in Zimbabwe. The performance discusses power structures, freedom of expression and the problems with water supplies – themes that applies to most countries in the developing world, where economically disadvantaged citizenry find themselves faced with dirty drinking water or acute water shortages.

But often it’s not only the water that is dirty: Authorities responsible of supplying cities with clean and healthy drinking water are also benefiting financially from this state of affairs. What happens when powerful institutions feel that their thriving businesses are threatened by the possibility of clean water for their citizens?

Water Games includes film, live music and a good dose of humor – because the Zimbabwean audience loves to laugh in the theatre. Just like the Oslo audience do.

Director: Jens Vilela Neumann. Music: Cornelius Mupondirio, Kudzai Sevenzo. Stage Design: Lena Newton. Actors: Kudzai Sevenzo, Michael Kudakwashe, Tichaona Mutore.