Cultural Groups and NGOs Inside Gedaref Theatre

Abdul-Aziz Ali Omer

At the reception area in the faculty of education in Gedaref, by a coincidence, I met Osman Abdelgadir, one of our former lecturers . ” This is Abdul-Aziz” He introduced me to the campus policemen .” He studied in those days of the dean Sultan when education was education” he added. He seemed to be talking in a supercilious accent, but it was due pride and reflected the truth of losing an irreparable man. ” Ya-Austaz, welcome, sit down” an elegantly uniformed figure said. He served me a glass of water. I came to the college to look for the memoirs of Yousef Al-ani, an Iraqi play-Wright. . Alas! , the receptionist told me that the library was closed. An idea occurred to me to go to Gedaref Theatre. Personally, last year, I visited it to attend an accolade for female pioneers of Sudanese theatre. The ceremony was held by Masarib Al-Dai, youth group to honor these out-standing actresses : Rabaha Mohmed Mahamoud, Someya Abdelatif, Belgis Awad, Nada El—yas. Some of audience applauded the theatrical function. Other ones saw it as one of diversionary tactics and thought instead, the concern must be focused on deteriorated roads and sanitation.
Inside a small exquisite entrance room at the stage gate, I met Zuhdi, the manager . He walked through the aisles to inspect rows of iron chairs in a vivid green paint or polish. He broke the silence to say ” The Sudanese Dramatists Union has refurbished theatre. It’s also involved in the fight against narcotics as well as promotion of a peaceful-co-existence. As he pointed out” The renovation process coincided with the Syndicate of Sudanese Dramatists commemoration of the world theatre day..
” The city audience can’t be wooed to a big party.” Zuhdi said He justified their refrain as due to security fears, demoralizing economic recession and the disruption of monsoon rainfall. . Nowadays , there is no commercial theater performance. We just have youthful groups working more on a human scale.” Zuhdi remarked.
Zuhdi rose up and picked up a ring of keys as he went to welcome me in his respective office in the tower of culture building. The corridor inside is decorated with a work of art. He noted that G-Artistic did the drawings . The plastic artist Sara Khidir had exerted an enormous effort in accomplishing the mural paintings. Zuhdi’s office is overlooking the front of theatre adorned with a white dove. It is a sign of peace. But, my nation now is in a conflict with itself. This prompted me to ask about the role the theatre is playing for example in alleviating suffering of displaced persons. Zuhdi responded ” Marafi Band and an ensemble of Sudan’s Puppets are operating within shelters to provide a psychiatric support and recreation to mitigate the trauma of war. ”

We proceeded towards the Child Culture Centre around which appeared and displayed like little squirrels. One of the children cautiously approached me and then dared to ask” Are you ” Al-Harami”, the thief!? To allay his fear, with a smile, ” No, I’m your papa friend”, I answered. Then, he with other little ones raced as wave-lets to another shore. To explain the presence of kids, Zuhdi said ” The volunteers for ” The Pulse of Life” handout food and water packages to children in Gedaref hospital. They prepare the meals inside the ground of theatre because it is near and facilitate their noble mission.”. Further, he added ” The volunteers for ” The White Hands” buy bags for schools and treat some cases of illnesses”. He went on to say ” Yagoot organization on the stage rehabilitates delinquent children for a decent living”. He paused for a minute and the silence propelled me to ask about other youth groups. He continued ” Ishragat”, illuminations is involved in combating drugs and eliminating negative phenomena in Gedaref market-places. My eyes fell on lovely girls, 19 years old, the age of flowers as a popular singer put a long with handsome ambitious youths. Zuhdi in his seat adjusted his posture to explain the captivating presence ” G-artistic group is organizing training sessions on plastic art, music and theatre.”. Zuhdi brought a cup of tea that was as sweet as the sound of music that leaked to us from the theatre building. From Zuhdi, I realize that Currently Gedaref is hosting musicians from Khartoum to perform their rehearsals. Their fellow singers from Gedaref like Sadig Muaz and GaribAllah will also carry out their auditions too. Skeptically, Zuhdi’s lips moved as if he murmured the words of Awoonor Kofi, a poet from Chana, ” It can’t be the music that we heard…It’s the new chorus of forgotten comrades” While the musical bands and play-wrights prepare for new lyrics and melodies, Sudan is aspiring to an era of peace, prosperity and justice based on a national consensus, free will and powerful resolve. . We still recall Hamdok’s phrase, the first prime minister of post-revolution Sudan :” We shall cross……” but to where? To a safe harbor, . We hope so.