Two theatre giants meet on stage in Bunkenke

Two theatre giants; Afri Talent and Bakayimbira Dramactors have teamed up yet again with a production that serves as a light into how money has corrupted our morals. The play is titled Bunkenke and it’s currently showing at Bat Valley Theatre.

Teaming up has brought with it strong characters, which makes it better than watching the two groups separately. And because the writing and directing was a joint effort, there is a lot to offer. We get to see the substance of the play evolve in phases, and there is also an element of unpredictability.

The plot revolves around a poor police officer Ian (Patrick Sembusi) who is tasked to chase a notorious criminal Kuppe (John Segawa). But Kuppe is a smart chap who will do his best to win the officer to his side. And when he finally does, that is the beginning of the conflict. Ian has to betray his bosses, work under tension and befriend and work on the orders of the bad people he is supposed to be chasing.

Just before he got himself to this point, Ian’s wife Martha (Ruth Kalibala) had always put him under pressure, asking him to do something about their poverty. She is part of the reason he finally gives up on his ethical standing so they can live a luxurious life. Do some women lead their husbands into things they wouldn’t have done for materialistic pursuits? Yes they do, at least that’s what the play suggests.

There is a tendency for almost all the actors to hide their past, because it isn’t that pleasant, this comes along with the fear of losing what they have gained today. No one wants to go back to their ugly past- and that’s why there is a lot of murder going on.

At least each actor that comes on stage makes the audience long for him each time he or she leaves. But the audience’s darling is Leila Kalanzi - she is really funny. You keep wondering where she gets the words she says. At some point she even gets fellow actors on the verge of bursting into laughter, and she has an impressive way of engaging the audience.

There are satirical statements made about the police quite often, like when Senkubuge speaks about Kale Kayihura involving himself in small cases like handing over the formerly kidnapped tycoon Kirumira’s grandson. “So what will the young officers do?” he asks.

The strengths of this production come as a result of each of the actors and actresses going out of their way to do their best without outcompeting each other. Perhaps one thing worth noting is that Aloysius Matovu who is a senior actor in Bakayimbira comes on stage only once and in a minor role. But his presence gives the impression that the three men him, Kibuuka and Senkubuge are still a team.

What lacks in this play o a large extent, are things like sound and light effects. The set design needs to change a bit; at least we should have been taken to the inspector general of police’s office because he is also at the centre of the drama.

That aside, when the curtains fall, one is left with a sharp understanding of why criminals are able to terrorise society and almost left at large. But you also learn that, no matter how pleasurable and for how long one indulges in evil, the end is always a bad one. You can catch this play at Bat Valley Theatre on the weekends. Tickets go for Shs10,000.