After months of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) also known as National theatre being in the news for the wrong reasons, the job of renovating the space has kicked off.
When The Observer stopped by, a lot of plumbing work was in progress and the auditorium was undergoing some refurbishment.
The works are intended to get the theatre, especially the auditorium, ready for the East African Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (Jamafest), set to be hosted by Uganda from September 7 to 14.
Late last year, artistes alongside other well-wishers blocked proposals to have the theatre redeveloped with a high-rise that would have housed a number of offices, restaurants and multiple auditoriums.
As artistes rejected that redevelopment plan, another one to renovate the theatre was tabled earlier this year.
Renovations meant to take place between July and September were halted after UNCC management was found to be in violation of the ‘local content’ provisions of the law, and the situation surrounding relocation of the current tenants had been found unsatisfactory by the parties involved.
Finally this month, renovation works kicked off with very little disturbance as far as the theatre tenants are concerned. Much of the work is around giving the sewage system a total makeover, a facelift to the auditorium front, the reception area and fixing the sound and lights.
In the past, shows at the theatre have depended on producers hiring their own sound and light equipment in order to pull off a memorable showcase. This shameful state of affairs may be history, finally.
According to Robert Musiitwa, the publicist at UNCC, the exercise is going to be done in phases with the first phase targeting the performing areas such as the auditorium, dressing rooms, the façade and lighting.
Much as work is already on, there are concerns whether the ongoing work is permanent or just a prop meant for Jamafest.
“We saw such renovations before CHOGM in 2007, but in the long run we realized the works damaged the acoustics of the auditorium,” said an artiste.
Artistes’ worry about the theatre state goes beyond just the need for lights and a coat of paint. One of the organisers of Jamafest anonymously told The Observer UNCC’s management was initially planning to hire the lights for the auditorium and then take them back after the festival week.
“They said they wanted to hire the entire light system and fix permanent ones after Jamafest,” the source said, adding that they are pressing management to fix permanent things because they are not sure work will continue once Jamafest is out of the way.
Musiitwa, however, said the current renovations are permanent.
“Jamafest is a by-the-way; these renovations have been in the UNCC plans for long,” he said.
Musiitwa said the lighting system was down and it is presently one of the priorities.
“The technicalities involve light, smoke machines, among other things, and we are replacing all that because we are aware that theatre is about the scenery, the experience,” he said.
Other concerns are whether the renovations will see the theatre eventually upgrade to match global theatre trends; and when will Ugandan theatre support 3D productions, on-stage digitalized backdrops, and more vibrant use of the spaces surrounding the stage?
“I want an auditorium I can do things with; I want to make angels fly over people’s heads and when I hear that they are renovating, I think about that,” Rashida Namulondo, one of the founders of the Afroman Spice, an all-female theatre trio that has performed at the National theatre twice, as well as in other countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Ivory Coast, said.
Namulondo said below the main stage, there is a basement that has been used as a store for some time, but hopes will now be made accessible for artistes after the renovations.
“At times, there are shows where you would want people to come from the underground, but it is not possible now,” she said, adding that compared to the good theatres she has seen elsewhere, she knows there are some things UNCC cannot achieve yet, but considering that there is a ready structure, at least the basics can be done to get the performing space to the new era of performers.
Musiitwa said they are also working on the orchestra pit, which has been in a bad state for a long time. The pit allows theatre productions to work with live music.
“Some of these we are doing before Jamafest, but the others will be done after the festival.”
Will Ugandan theatre lovers see a fully-functional, modern theatre attracting all manner of productions and stage stars like is the case elsewhere?
Not likely with this particular renovation, but the hope is still alive. At least for now, enthusiasts still have a theatre, at all.
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