Jake Mace
Chiedza Rwodzi from Unshaded Arts is the writer-performer of upcoming show Strangers & Revelations. Chiedza describes the piece as an exploration of identity and the power dynamics between men and women through an African lens. The show debuted at the 2024 Kenya International Theatre Fest (KITFest) and now arrives for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week. We caught up with Chiedza for a pixelated pint to find out more about the journey she’s been on with the show so far.
You can catch Strangers & Revelations from August 1st to 23rd (not the 10th or 17th) at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall – Theatre 3 from 12:05 (50mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Chiedza! Tell us about your upcoming EdFringe show Strangers and Revelations, and the two characters Zodwa and Malcolm at the centre of the story.
Chiedza: Hello! I’m thrilled to be bringing Strangers & Revelations to the Fringe. The play follows Zodwa as she steps into Malcolm’s house after a last-minute change of plan. Through shared stories of roots, romantic mishaps, and ghosts from the past, they slowly reveal themselves and begin to uncover deeper truths and shared griefs. Grounded in mythology and trauma, this production explores identity and the complex power dynamics between men and women all through a distinctly African lens.
Zodwa and Malcolm are two Zimbabweans navigating life in London, a place they must either adapt to or learn to call home. The play shows how they balance this tension between where they come from and where they are now. As the night unfolds, much is unearthed and unravelled in the hidden corners of Malcolm’s house.
Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect about the show.
Chiedza: The audience can expect to be fully drawn in by these two striking, complex and unforgettable characters. From the moment the play begins, there’s a constant sense of movement emotionally, psychologically, even spiritually. While the play entertains, it also challenges viewers to see things through these characters’ unique perspectives.
What you might not expect are the revelations that surface, some of which are quite unexpected, even jaw-dropping. The story unfolds with twists that play with perception, memory, and truth. Like life, and like people, everything isn’t always what it seems on the surface. I’m really excited to see how audiences respond as the deeper layers begin to reveal themselves. Get ready for the ride.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Chiedza: As a writer, I try to approach each story with openness, and I really hope audiences come with that same spirit. I’m not looking to tell people what to think, but rather to invite them in, to feel, to reflect, and to see things maybe a little differently than before. If anything, I hope the play sparks empathy. That it reminds us how complex, layered, and deeply human we all are. I’d love for it to start conversations, shift perspectives, or even just nudge someone to sit with an idea they hadn’t considered before. Most of all, if the work helps centre and champion voices from marginalised communities, not as case studies but as real and authentic people, then I’ll feel like the work has done something worthwhile.
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Chiedza: I’ve never been to the Fringe before, so honestly, just being there is exciting, but bringing my ownshow makes it feel even more surreal. The stakes are definitely high, but I really believe there’s no better time than now. What’s even more special is that my co-founder, Hassan Govia, is also bringing his show, so our company, Unshaded Arts, is taking two shows to Edinburgh. It’s a bold move, maybe even a bit wild, but it means so much to be platforming marginalised stories on such a huge stage. As both a writer and performer, that’s incredibly exciting.
And of course… I can’t lie, I’m really looking forward to the pub food. I’m a pub chips enthusiast, and I fully plan to rate every portion I eat on TikTok (@unshadedarts). So, stay tuned for that essential content too!
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Chiedza: Strangers & Revelations is like a Southern African red wine, it’s deep, layered, and touched by ancient whispers. Beneath its smooth surface flows a silent power, with hints of romance and mystery that linger, inviting you to slowly uncover the hidden depths within you. Sometimes what is unseen can only be seen after dark, between worlds.
A reminder, you can catch Strangers & Revelations from August 1st to 23rd (not the 10th or 17th) at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall – Theatre 3 from 12:05 (50mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Guy J Sanders
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
