• About us
  • Contribute Content
  • Donate
Monday, January 30, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Madsoc Theatre Reopens with Once An Actress

Outsourced by Outsourced
April 2, 2021
in News, Reviews
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

Madsoc Theatre opened their season with Stanley Mambo’s adaption of Tony Layton’s Once an Actress performed by Charity Dlodlo. The atmosphere was electric and there was palpable excitement as the audience awaited the opening of theatre doors at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe on March 27th, 2021. The theatre was re-opening after almost a year of closure due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The opening play, Once an actressΒ  written by Tony Layton and directed by Stanley Mambo of Mwezi Arts, promised to be an exciting show. With her brilliant solo performance, actor Charity Dlodlo, enthralled audiences with the story of Sarah Mugabe who as the title suggests, was once an actress.

When we meet Sarah she’s working at a factory where she is allowed to use the facility during the weekends to produce her own products. This is where she worked before a friend persuaded and dragged her to an audition for a TV commercial that kick started her journey as an actress.

See also: The Empire Builders: A bold experiment in alternative theatre!

Sarah’s story is intricately woven in a series of flashbacks that give us a glimpse into her life as an actress. A journey that took her to acting school, the hard work, the acting offers that came during and after school, and the strife and choices she made as these offers began drying up. Sarah would not take roles that constantly required her to be in the nude so nowΒ  she relies on her agent to find her some work. In the meantime, she is back at the factory. A sort of fall from glory for anyone who has ever ridden the high of being in the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.

Charity Dlodlo performs One an Actress at Madsoc Theatre in Malawi (Photos by Michael Mambo)
Charity Dlodlo performs One an Actress at Madsoc Theatre in Malawi (Photos by Michael Mambo)

Charity Dlodlo’s mimicry of the different characters that Sarah came across in her short-lived career is true to life as she delivers splendidly. The play delves into the complexities of the acting industry and how one’s career can be short-lived, especially when one is unwilling to go against their moral compass. And the Zimbabwean actor understands this all too well. β€œThis play is a mirror of what happens in our lives as artists, especially being a female artist. I could relate to it in so many ways,” says Dlodlo, narrating similar experiences. β€œOther people confided in me in what was happening in their lives during production. Being a much senior person in the industry, a lot of young girls confide in me when they have these sorts of experiences whereby they are sexually abused or harassed. So, I thought that this is something we need to talk about.”

See also: How theatre can help young Nigerians who are living with HIV

Dlodlo effortlessly drifts in and out of Sarah’s and other characters she encounters exploringΒ  relevant and timely issues like the #MeToo movement, the Covid-19 pandemicΒ  and other issues told in a way that anyone that has experienced living in an African community setting would recognise.

The Zimbabwean actress with years of experience describes the opportunity to work on the play as a welcome challenge. β€œI had never done a one hander before. Going through 18 pages of lines is something I thought I could never do, however, it has been a joy working on this production.”

Zimbabwean actress Charity Dlodlo in Once Actress at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe, Malawi (Photo by Michael Mambo)
Zimbabwean actress Charity Dlodlo in Once Actress at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe, Malawi (Photo by Michael Mambo)

In her portrayal of Sarah, Dlodlo said that the script was something she could relate to as an actor.Β  β€œOften, we tell other people’s stories but not our own, so this was exciting for me as we get to tell our story.” As a woman working in the industry, some of the themes aren’t hard for her to imagine. β€œThere were many things that could be similar but being an African setting, the adapted play had relatable experiences.”  One of the characters Dlodlo beautifully plays is that of Lenah, an actress who gets into a relationship with the director with the promise of favours highlighting the issues of abuse of power and other such undesirable dynamics of senior-junior relationships in varied settings.

β€œIt’s a very tough industry, we need to be strong. If many women can lead the industry, we won’t get to encounter so many of sexual abuse cases.” she observes.

See also: My Vagina Was Not Buried With Him: A Rich Multi Genre Narrative

Stanley and Hazel Mambo of Mwezi Arts led the creative team behind the production. For Stanley Mambo working with an artiste from a different country was too good of an opportunity to let go. This was made easy by the nature of the play – under the current restrictions which require social distancing, one handers are most desirable.

Still, this was not withoutΒ  challenges. β€œThe main challenge was going into production during Covid when people are supposed to be isolating. We had to start creating a show in an almost impossible situation after closure due to the pandemic, in a situation where you cannot approach any donor that I am creating a show. We knew somehow, somewhere, we were on our own and it is very challenging to be in isolation,” the founder of Mwezi Arts which runs the Madsoc Theatre, the only purpose-built theatre in Malawi confided.

Once an Actress performed by Charity Dlodlo at Madsoc Theahtre in Malawi (Photos by Michael Mambo)
Once an Actress performed by Charity Dlodlo at Madsoc Theahtre in Malawi (Photos by Michael Mambo)

In adapting the play, Mambo added many elements that are relevant to the African audience.Β  β€œThere are many elements and new things that this play brings that are not easy to trace back to the narrative of the story, except to someone who knows the original script. There are great additions to the story and movement. The story is originally set in different scenarios and sets, but we chose to play the whole play in the factory which is totally new to the direction. In the original we see Sarah following her life through the years, but we reversed that, we made it a reflection in a day of her thinking about her life to give it a fresh kind of approach. There are many elements of surprise in the show.’

See also: 10 Masterpieces in Ugandan Theatre

Hazel Mambo worked on the show as the producer and creative set designer and speaks of her creative experience and process on the adaptation as a joy. β€œWe found elements that we could fuse, to make the story interesting and when Dlodlo mentioned that she could do gymnastics we got the idea of the set bar which also could be a working bench in a factory, whereby she will be able to move about and tell her story, using available elements. The props play a major role in the different scenes- on the bus, in the market and during production of the washing powder. The costume as well, it is difficult for a woman to wear overalls in a working environment so that is why we decided on the overall, giving it feminine elements.”

The backdrop was designed by Frank Pakaine to complement the factory setting of the play.

See also: The Women Making Waves in Theatre in Africa Part 1

Because the scene transitions are fast, simple aspects complementing those flashbacks had to be included to take the audience to the moments as the actor recalled and performed them. The play being a one hander, most creative aspects were successfully executed complementing the actor on her stage journey which Dlodlo does with ease and grace.

By Angela Jimu – Malawi

Angela Jimu is a Journalist and Visual Storyteller based in Lilongwe. Her work centres around people in their environments. She is a theatre enthusiast, often visually documenting theatre plays. She holds a qualification in Journalism, Photojournalism and a MA degree in Media Management.

Outsourced

Outsourced

Related Posts

Balloonacy & Seussical Jr on the Christmas Menu at the National Children’s Theatre
News

Balloonacy & Seussical Jr on the Christmas Menu at the National Children’s Theatre

December 10, 2022
101
Barefeet Theatre’s Float will run at the Lusaka Playhouse this December in Lusaka. (photo: Barefeet theatre website)
News

Float: Barefeet Theatre’s Gift this Christmas

December 5, 2022
44
Wits Theatre’s Ground Zero //O (or to die) Tackles Historical Trauma and Belonging (Photos supplied by Grealt Cloete)
Reviews

Ground Zero //O (or to die) at Wits Theatre

November 12, 2022
113
Next Post
A COVID-19 World Theatre Day in Uganda

A COVID-19 World Theatre Day - Uganda

What people are saying

More Reads

  • People
  • Opinion
  • Festivals
  • Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Reads

  • Uganda's Theatre pioneer Elvania Namukwaya Zirimu

    Uganda’s Elvania Namukwaya who Broke the Glass Ceiling of Theatre

    910 shares
    Share 632 Tweet 116
  • Robert Serumaga: The Pantheon of Uganda’s Theatre in the β€˜70s

    321 shares
    Share 128 Tweet 80
  • 10 Masterpieces in Ugandan Theatre

    688 shares
    Share 504 Tweet 77
  • Namasagali College: How the School Became Uganda’s Arts Hub

    513 shares
    Share 335 Tweet 74
  • Rose Mbowa of ‘Mother Uganda’ and Her Theatre

    438 shares
    Share 270 Tweet 70

Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by @AfriTheatreMag

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

  • Outside the audition room! 

#TheatreMemes #theatre #audition
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this weekend πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦πŸ‡§πŸ‡«πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡³

#TheatreInAfrica #TheatreShows #reelsinstagram #fypγ‚·
  • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Bold 2023 Continental Call

Theme: CLIMATE CHANGE 

Ibua Publishing invites continent-based African writers to send in submissions of creative writing (Short Story (Fiction/Non-Fiction) and Poetry) showcasing the impact of Climate change on their locales across the continent. 

Deadline: 23rd February 2023 

For more information on how to apply visit: https://journal.ibuapublishing.com/continental-calls/
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week. πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬

Seaside Cottage Theater Presents Seaside Cortage  Theatre Melody Hour…..a soothing session of Nigerian Dances, and play reading 

Theme: The role of Art in a time like this! 

Curated by Seun Awobajo 

Date: Saturday January 28, 2023
Location : Seaside Cottage Theatre 
Entrance: Donate what you can 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInNigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ

The crony production 🎭 Whose Wife Are You? 

Date: 27-28 January 2023
Time: 8:30PM on 27th & 3:00PM, 6:30PM on 28th 
Venue: Kenya National Theatre 
Tickets: Ksh 1000 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInKenya πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡§πŸ‡«

Espace Culturel Gambidi presents 
🎭 Les deux mondes A storytelling show for the young audience

Synopsis: "An intrigue that takes place between two parallel worlds: a visible world and an invisible world. A pretty princess, reincarnated as a demi-goddess who once lived in a unique world was sent by her ancestors on a special mission... "

Lyrics, Production and Performance: Tipoko ZONGO

Date: Saturday January 28, 2023
Time: 5 p.m.
Location : Cultural Space Gambidi
Entrance: F1,000 (Children) / F2,000 (Adults)

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInBurkinafaso πŸ‡§πŸ‡«
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡³

El teatro presents Taoufik Jebali
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­

National Theatre of GHANA, NHIITHE Comic production and A wednesday theatre production presents 🎭 My Wife and Me 

Date: 25th January 2023 
Time: 6:00PM 
Venue: Folks place National Theatre 
Rate: single 30GHC | Double 50GHC 

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInGhana πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #OnTheAfricanTheatreStage this week πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦

The Market Theatre in Association with Carel Nel and The SU Woordfees presents 🎭  Tien Duisend Ton 

Dates: 19 Jan - 05 Feb  2023.
Book your tickets now on 0832464950 / 0784344860

The African Theatre Magazine
#TheatreInSouthAfrica πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦
#TheatreInAfrica
  • #TheatreQuote for this week comes from Prof. Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright, novelist and poet.

#TheatreInAfrica
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Become a partner/Sponsor our work. Email tuvugafritheatre@gmail.com

Β© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Donate

Β© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Donate
Contribute