Courtauld Theatre: Mutare’s No. 1 Talent Incubator
“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Andy Warhol.
The Courtauld Theatre has been a signature feature upon entering the city of Mutare since 1956 when it was brought to life by Sir Stephen and Lady Courtauld. Great live theatres, screen plays, movies and musical shows have been staged in this facility. Currently the facility is under the custody of Mabvazuva Creative Hub which is incubating a number of creatives and related service providers.
Mabvazuva Creative Hub’s mission is to provide affordable work space and professional opportunities for Manicaland’s most creative Practitioners and businesses, by producing an innovative multi-disciplinary arts programme at an international scale that pushes beyond social and cultural boundaries, and providing a resource for open source events. This initiative is a brainchild of the Courtauld players
According to their recent report, Mabvazuva Creative Hub was founded in 2017 and is a creative social enterprise offering an active environment conducive to professional development, enhancing understanding and awareness national and international contemporary arts practice and providing professional development opportunities through constructive informal dialogue and an accessible programmes of creative projects that engage the public in the arts and bringing communities together from diverse backgrounds. The facility is currently providing affordable spaces for 200 creative Practitioners, and its annual arts programme engage with up 100 artists from different parts of Zimbabwe. Click here to visit the Mabvazuva Facebook Page.
Under the watchful eye of Mabvazuva Creative Hub, a number of activities and creatives are currently incubated at Courtauld Theatre and the facility boasts of a large auditorium. Also available is a library, visual arts centre, dance and music studio as well as film studio. At Courtauld Theatre you will also find a bar, a restaurant, saloon, martial arts lessons, sign language lessons, car wash services as well as wicker works.
ICHYPPA
Integration of Children and Young People into Performing Arts(Ichyppa) is one of the main attractions under the Mabvazuva Creative Hub. Icyppa works with kids and teens on theatre, dance, music and poetry. Ichyppa activities can be found on their Facebook page as well as on YouTube.
Eastlife Entertainment Studios
Eastlife Entertainment Studios offers a wide range of media from filming, video production, music production and photography. It is run by Stephen Mutsago who is the CEO and Director. Mutsago is best known for the leading role he played in Vicious Circle, an action packed movie he wrote. Besides writing and acting, the multitalented Mutsago is also a director, producer and singer. The series Smoking Gun rank as one of the top productions by Mutsago. Some of the leading productions under Eastlife’s lenses are Quo Tendimus, Abyss, Scalene Crime and Effect. Trailers and music videos can be viewed on the YouTube Channel
Eastlife Entertainment Studios literally brought life back to Mutare’s movie industry which was on the brink of collapse. You can access some of the studios previous work as well as their upcoming attractions on their Facebook page
Click here to learn more about Eastlife Entertainment Studios.
ARTFULIZM
Artfulizm boasts of being the best in portraits, paintings, tyre art, land scrapping, craft work and lots more. They are also responsible for designing some of the costumes and props used by actors during live theatre. For their services the guys can be reached on: Chonglee +263784021925, Archie Tee +263775552510, Munya +263784211732
FC Lounge
Visitors wont have their throats parched when they come to Courtauld. FC Lounge is a fully stocked watering hole with a variety of beverages ranging from the soft stuffs to the hot ones as well as ice cold beer. FC Lounge also hosts some musical shows for the patrons’ enjoyment so there is never a dull moment at the joint.
CARVERY RESTAURANT
Located at Courtauld, Carvery Restaurant offers a varied cuisine to meet all tastes. The mouth watering meals offered are top class and the braai is most visitors’ favorite. At the restaurant, you have a wide selection from local dishes to exotic ones and cool drinks are available to wash it all down.
Hair Stylists/Barbershop
Courtauld has its own resident hair stylists for all your hair dos and hair cuts. Michael is a master hair stylist experienced in dread locks, braids, tongs, relaxing and any other hair style as per client request. His partner Sunday, also a hair stylist, is mainly into hair cuts. The duo works together to produce amazing hairstyles. If you need their services you can get through to them using these numbers: Michael +263773765173; Sunday +263777910923 and they work everyday of the week including holidays.
Car Wash is an Art!
At the theatre are artists to give your car the perfect shampoo. Your car will always have a shiny sparkle if washed by those who enjoy doing their work. Mary Jane and Zuda are dedicated to ensure that every visitor’s car receives that clean spark.
Martial Arts with Master Charlie
Master Charlie provides combat martial arts lessons to people from all walks of life, the young, the old, men and women. Styles available for training include Kyokushin, Jeet Kune-Do, Tung Soo-Do, Ju jitsu and lots more. He also offers training aerobics & fitness, rape prevention and self-defense. Click here to visit Master Charlie’s Facebook page. He can be reached on +263772542719.
Murara Wicker Work
Nelson Jakata is a resident craftsman who uses murara to produce a wide variety of products. The Shona word murara has been popularised by Baba Harare’s song which goes: “hama simudzai heti dzemuraraaa“. Yes, Nelson does weave murara hats. He also uses wood and murara to make tables, chairs, bar stools, headboards, drawers and a whole lot of other products.
Jakata can be contacted on +263778397521. More of his work can be viewed by clicking here
Sign Language Lessons with Tajcoin
Become a disability inclusion ambassador by learning sign language through TJ Institute at Courtauld. Book your place by getting in touch with Sir Aaron on +263773404277
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Chonglee and Archie Tee for giving me the tour around Courtauld Theatre Mabvazuva Creative Hub.
I would also like to thank Mabvazuva Creative Hub Director Mr Tsopotsa as well as Audrey Katerere for providing the flesh and bones to this writeup.
Mr Tsopotsa can be reached on +263773116737
Courtauld Player Mabvazuva Creative Hub Location
ROBERT MUGABE /QUEENSWAY MUTARE