Who Said I Don’t Want to Dance is a stage play which follows the life of GINA, a young widow mourning the death of her beloved husband, Sipho. It explores an aspect of some ancient Southern African cultures, whereby if a woman wants to keep resources acquired during her marriage, she must find a suitor among the late husband’s clan. Unknown to her people and to GINA: herself, Sipho’s death has sparked the rediscovering of her ambitions and politics, her identity and sexuality, and the yearning she has to explore the land beyond her rural home. This story explores the African woman’s subjugation and oppression in a patriarchal society.
Produced by Pulley and Buttonhole Theatre, Philadelphia USA, 2019
Genre: Drama
Acts: 1
Run time: 35 minutes
Content note: Contains strong language. This play can be staged anywhere in the world. For all vernacular words, translation is provided in English.
Suitable for students 16+
Cast size: 5 actors
Male roles: 2
Female roles: 3
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming roles: 2
Casting note: This story is build around the era in Zimbabwe when they didn't tolerate LGBTQ people. Actors are mostly African Americans.