Reviews

The Really Stupid Things Men Say

A review by Raisedon Baya

The Really Stupid Things Men Say is about a woman anthropologist who decides to spill the beans on how lame men get just to get laid. The lecture, as the play is called, is a comic dig at men and a casual attempt by one woman to enlighten her fellow sisters about men and their cheap pick-up lines. The title is clear on the issues. It is all about the stupid things men say to women to get into bed with them. Sex and relationships are universal subjects and Mgcini Nyoni was never going to go wrong with this subject. If I were to mark his presentation out of 10 I definitely would give it a 7. Here is what worked for me:

1.      The play is written in English, with a few words in Ndebele and Shona. I have always said a writer should write in a language they are familiar and easy with. Mgcini Nyoni chose to use English and the work shows he has more than working knowledge of the language. His writing flowed like the Zambezi River. The language was music to the ear. He could have chosen to be more flamboyant and showed off. But he was mature enough to stick to the needs of the story – obvious signs of a growing writer. Evidence of Nyoni’s maturity was his ability to stay away from vulgarity. Here was an opportunity for him to go to town about sex and a lot of sexual innuendos and jokes. But he only chose that which was necessary and pushed the story forward. That’s the mark of a good and mature writer.

2.      As a Director of the show Mgcini Nyoni should be commended for good casting. In Mbonisi Mahonondo he outdid himself. She was picture perfect for the role. Her looks and articulation were near perfect. The action on stage was controlled. There was no attempt to do over-do things. Minimum props. Minimum movements. Focus was on the dialogue. And Mbonisi had the audience glued to her and eating from her palm.

3.      The acting was good. Mbonisi Mahonondo, obviously borrowing from her modelling experience and her acting lessons from Eveline Girls High brought some class and elegance to the stage. And she did not try to impress everyone with cheap acting tricks. She was even able to convince us when she took on some male characters as she told her story or delivered her lecture.

4.      The other thing that made the whole presentation work was the intimate setting of the John Knight Cinema at the National Gallery in Bulawayo. The venue was almost perfect for the presentation.

My opinion and it is just that, is that as the Director Mgcini Nyoni should have taken advantage of technology and used multimedia, music and sounds to take his presentation to another level. This could have increased the length of the show too. But this is just a personal opinion. Nothing more. To conclude on Mgcini’s piece, I think it is a play that should be taken to a wider audience. It deserves more days and could also be the perfect piece for the coming Valentine’s Day.

Other Reviews

The Really Stupid Things Men Say tackles contemporary issues that resonate well with audiences and the technique used is fresh and innovative. Below are some of the things that have been said by those who have watched the show:

‘One word to describe the play: Awesome’ – Nkanyeziyethu Malunga, Fashion Designer

‘The Really Stupid Things Men Say is a must-see, well done Mgcini Nyoni’ – Busisiwe Ndlovu-Bhebhe, Gender activist and Information Officer Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association.

‘An innovative and inspiring show’ – Gwarinda M.C, Film and Theatre lecturer at Midlands State University.

‘Standing ovation Mbo Mahocs *women power* and well done Mgcini Nyoni for a great script. An insightful and hilarious lesson’ – Patience Phiri

‘Great performance, I loved the articulation, character switch from female to male, the voice projection, audience intimacy, stage presence, Mbo Mahocs keep up the good work and Mgcini Nyoni, we look up to you. Thank you.’ – Njabulo Moyo, Poet and Motivational speaker.