Philip Luswata’s thought about Covid-19 aftermath

By Philip Luswata

After the postponement of our show, 30 Years of Bananas by the National Theatre due to COVID, my friend Musinguzi Bamuturaki asked me “What measures can government put in place to compensate artists in such times?”

My thought was that the question should be, ‘what measures should artistes take to compensate for such eventualities.’ We shouldn’t be the ones to cry ‘government where are you.’

It won’t work. It hasn’t worked before, it won’t work now. Government must first see the organization on our end and consider what it is losing when we are weakened.

This, though unfortunate, is a good time for art to be useful, as we are at a time of information demand, yet we vend the same. There is a captive audience for the next 30 days.

This is the time to show personal relevance and inventiveness with new material that would have otherwise passed unnoticed.

We have been used (as theatre artistes) to working ensemble, but here is a chance, with social distance, to think solo!

The potential to build ones brand, if exploited well, could see some sharp novices emerge relevant at the end of the quarantine.

Meanwhile for us old geezers, there is now no excuse of a lack of time to write new work. 

Okello Kelo Sam, Andrew Ssebaggala, what do you think of a Quarantine Theatre Festival after the country emerges with the crown at the other end of the quarantine? I am begining on my two man play now… Anyone else taking the challenge?

Two colleagues offered this: SsaliFrank says, ‘Well Stated Mr. Luswata. It’s a Perfect time for us Script wrighters and Screen Writers to concentrate and write plays or films either about Corona Virus or other topics.

Felix Kyeyunne says, “my Brother before one looking at Government as entity to help , do you know that NSSF in rightful societies at this lockdown would be more useful to it’s long time Depositors , today NSSF is closing it’s offices in pretext of fearing massive cash withdrew.’