Theatre: ‘The Substitutes’ are in Maputo, this Thursday and Friday only, at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre

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Theatre: ‘The Substitutes’ are in Maputo, this Thursday and Friday only, at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre

3:36 CAT | 27 Mar 2025

Screen grab: CCFM

Four women, four stories and an unusual profession – surrogate mourners, hired to weep at funerals. But, between the shed tears and the rivalries, ‘The Substitutes’ transforms mourning into an unexpected spectacle.

The Mbeu Macarte Theatre Company presents ‘The Substitutes’ in the auditorium of the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre in Maputo on Thursday and Friday (28/20-03).

The play is an adaptation of Another One’s Bread, by South African playwright Mike Van Graan, a dark comedy which raises questions about life and death, reflecting on social inequalities, hunger, gender and the complex dynamics that shape society.

The story revolves around four women, a group of professional mourners hired to provide funeral-related services . The original Mike Van Graan’s play takes its title from the Afrikaans expression “Een man se dood is ‘n ander man se brood” (“One person’s death is another person’s bread”), which provides a profound reflection on the interconnections between life and death, as well as the realities society often ignores.

Produced by Olankha and directed by Isabel Jorge, the play features performances by Yolanda Fumo, Sufaida Moiane, Xixel Langa and Carmelinda Coana. The characterization is by Dadinha da Graça and the production is in charge of Paulo Jamine.

‘Substitutes’ is presented in the context of Women’s Rights Month, an initiative promoted by the Embassy of France in Mozambique, and in celebration of World Theatre Day, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on the role of women in society and the social injustices that need to be addressed.

The M’bêu company, which was founded in 1989 in Maputo, has a vast history of cultural productions. Since its founding, the company has developed more than 23 conventional theatre plays, 15 community theatre plays and 60 comedy sketches, in addition to several television productions. M’bêu is also responsible for the Festival d’Agosto, an international theatre event that has already been held six times, and has participated in more than 10 international festivals, in addition to holding theatre workshops that foster the development of new talents.

With this production, M’bêu aims to raise awareness among the public about social inequalities and, in particular, inspire women to take an active role in transforming their communities and their own lives.

Source: Mbnaga / CCFM