Ethiopian art industry has made a roller coaster ride over the years. It has been struggling with different challenges such as lack of professionals, finance and attention from the public and government.
The first play, Fabula: Yawreoch Commedia (Fable: The Comedy of Animals) was made by Teklehawariat Teklemaryam after he realized there is a gap in understanding of theatre. Teklehawariat studied in Russia and travelled to Europe around the beginning of the 20th century.
By making this theatre, “Teklehawariat familarize the art of theatre, teach the then monarchy about government administration and criticize the corruption status of the leaders,” as the Theatre Times wrote. Since then several plays with various sociopolitical messages are made. Notable playwrights such as laureate Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, Berhanu Zerihun, Mengistu Lemma, Abate Mekuria, Senedu Gebru and others shone.
Theatre sustained this time having excellent playwrights like Wudneh Kifle. Wudneh is a living legend writing morethan 13 plays including Babylon Be Salon, the longest running theatre in National theatre history. When Babylon Be Salon is taken off the stage after 14 years, actor Alemayehu Taddese praised Wudneh for writing this masterful play.
“ Wudneh Kifle is a playwright I appreciate and respect. As a playwright myself, I am envious of him. He is tireless. He has written many plays and particularly yetafene chuhet and Babylon Be Salon are great art works. “
This playwright has come now with a new theatre that has historical and political relevance. “Baalu Girma Bermuda” is Wudneh’s new theatre directed by Teshale Work and started to be shown at Hagere Fiker theatre. Many people who love the late novelist Baalu Girma have been eager to watch this theatre and have the glimpse of what happend at the last hour of the author. The fearless author is disappeared after he wrote “Oromay” that exposed the Derg military junta for its mismangement and power abuse during Red Star Campaign. postive comments and reviews are already coming.
Like the theatre, the cinema has gone through different challenges but kept alive by gifted directors like Kidest Yilma. Kidest is known for her distingushed feature movies like Ke eletat and Rebuni. Eregnaye, a series movie which she co directed has also raised her fame. Kidest is now returned to the screen with a new movie that mirrors today’s reality. “Doka”, the new movie also brought the famous Mahdere Assefa to screen.
The movie industry is also being motivated by national broadcaster, ETV and other tv channels. ETV is producing series movies that have high artistic value and sociopolitical significance. Among its productions, “Mehal” and “Gera ena Kegne” are already on air. “Mehal” is authored by poet Bedelu Wakjira and being directed by seasoned theatrist and director Manyazwwal Endeshaw. Singer Tsehaye Yohannes, Haregewoin Assefa, theatre lecturer Tesfaye Eshetu and tiktoker Aster Wondimeshet are among the cast.
“Gera ena Kegne” is set in Derg time shows the transition where justice was served randomly by the hands of people to court but dictatorial and very problematic. The drama series was written by poet and writer Hama Tumma. He is considered greatest satrist who advocates for justice and democracy by his works that fated to banned by three different governments. Notable actors like Girum Zenebe, Michael Tamere and Abebe Balcha are among casts in this drama. It is on air! The private TV channel Abol is airing many Ethiopian drama series in different languages. The channel this week premaired a new Amharic drama series “Afaf”.
The art industry for a while was sliding back or stagnat stage due to COVID 19 and other reasons. It was receiving a lukewarm reception from audience and critics. Now, it seems that the industry is gearing itself for a development with great shows with new and legendry actors, writers and directors.
Playwright and actress Meaza Worku expressed her happines over the beginning of these new shows. She said the shows are anticpated as they are written by famous writers and touches various issues. The participation of legendry and emerging actors and big companies invlovement in production makes the shows promising. However, the playwright urged critics and the general audience to support the growth of the industry with their constructive feedbacks.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
The Ethiopian Herald July 2/2023
