By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
Four experienced local actors and a bevy of new performing artists are part of the cast of the tragi-comedy, The Bigamist, that will be staged April 20-21 as part of the two-yearly Theatre Zone play competition of the National Theatre of Namibia.
All the actors are full-time workers, plying their natural stage creative skills on a part-time basis for Committed Artists of Namibia, the oldest operative community theatre group in the country. Many established actors have come through the ranks of CAN over the past 27 years.
The cast of the fast-moving Bigamist consists of veteran actor, Basil Dewaldt in the lead male role as Reo, and newcomer, Arlene Mouton. Other role players are: Albert Rickerts, David Ndjavera, Armas Shivute, Hurbert Kavandje, Dedrei de Wee and Intila Katambo.
Basil Dewalt (Reo) has previously acted in a number of student productions such as George Weideman’s M25, M29, a CAN production of the Afrikaans drama of Adam Small, Joanie Galant-Hulle. He also starred in the Afrikaans play of the NTN a few years ago, Bacchus in die Boland.
David Ndjavera (Sergeant) started off his acting career with Committed Artists of Namibia more than sixteen years ago and has acted in most of the plays of the group, which include Katutura ’59, Will of a Die-Hard Soldier, Two Men and a Baby and My Children, My Africa for which he was highly acclaimed at the Grahams Town Arts Festival.
Albert Rickerts (Pastor) has acted in two CAN productions, Will of a Die-Hard Soldier and Katutura ’59.
Though he has never acted in any CAN production, Armas Shivute (Kazara), has performed in plays such as President Khaya Africa that toured southern Africa, and in a number of his own written stage works.
Hubert Kavandje (Constable) has acted in five NTN children’s stage presentations as well as in other community theatre productions. This is also his first time to be cast in a CAN production.
Intila Katambo (Nadula) has formerly acted in a play titled, The Right Reverend, that was staged as part of Theatre Zone. This is her first opportunity to act in a CAN play.
Dedrei de Wee (Kinnie) is one of three of the original cast of The Bigamist that was staged experimentally last year as part of the annual Youth Theatre Festival.
David Ndjavera and Albert Rickerts are the other two actors, who have been part of the play since last year.