The United Nations Population Fund Papua New Guinea is supporting a team of talented performers in the production of three original plays this March. The Arts Awareness Month initiative launched with the performance of the hit play He is Victor at the historic Moresby Arts Theatre.
First premiering three years ago, He is Victor invites audiences to join investigative journalist Toli as she uncovers the true reason behind her young cousin’s death. With enthralling performances from the ensemble cast, audiences are confronted with questions of religion, custom, and prejudice as Toli discovers that it was not Victor’s secret illness that killed him - but the intolerance of those closest to him. The play deals with issues of sexuality and health issues that are rarely confronted in PNG, including HIV and mental health.
For UNFPA, our message for theatre-goers is that the silence on sexual and reproductive health can be deadly, and starting the conversation can save lives.
Among the 170 guests who saw He is Victor were students, youth volunteers, church representatives, and the general public.
Representatives from the Archdiocese of Port Moresby’s Catholic Health Services joined Saturday’s matinee and were moved by the honesty of the play, sharing that it is important we spread the message that TB is curable, and HIV is treatable.
Arts Awareness Month continues this week with performances of the haunting For my Father followed by next week’s premiere of the brand new Letters From Bradley, an intimate look into the intergenerational causes of intimate partner violence that promises to stay with audiences long after the curtains close. UNFPA is supporting the performers and the audiences with mental health support and counselling services following each performances.
UNFPA is supporting Arts Awareness Month as part of the organisation’s advoacy on breaking the silence around sexual and reproductive health and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, with the team from Focus Marketing Solutions producing.
