For the first time Zimbabweans can laugh at Robert Mugabe at the theatre without worrying they may be arrested or that the play will be banned.

A new and daring comedy, Operation Restore Regasi, about the soft coup d’etat in Harare last November, has packed out the theatre.

Audiences have been convulsed with laughter as they watch Carol Magena, playing Grace Mugabe, teetering around the stage trying to seduce Constantino Chiwenga, the army commander, while her frail old husband, Robert Mugabe, 93 at the time, is slumped in his chair, asleep.

There was standing room only at the play, which opens with Mr Mugabe under house arrest in his mansion, and Mrs Mugabe shrieking that she wants to leave Zimbabwe immediately and go to Dubai, her favourite shopping destination.

Charles Munganasa based his script on what he imagined the first couple would be saying to one another, and to Chiwenga, shortly after the army took power.