English stage drama in Malawi is an industry that has evolved. From a point of brilliance, the art slowly slid into oblivion. Despite efforts from some players, the sector remains stunted. Our Staff Reporter BRIAN ITAI recently caught up with Edwin Saidi, one of the actors who starred in an era when theatre was on top of its game. Excerpts:

Q

: Who is Edwin Saidi?

A

: Edwin Saidi is a computer scientist, actor, entrepreneur, founder and managing director of Idias Corporation Limited, an IT company specialising in software development, IT support and IT sourcing. I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Malawi and a master’s degree in Business Information Systems from University of London. I am a certified ethical hacker and also a chartered IT professional. I am married to Ulemu and we have three children.

Q

: How has been your journey in art so far?

A

: I started professional acting when I was in secondary school and continued through university. I have acted with some of Malawi’s renowned names such as Du Chisiza Jr, Frank Patani Mwase and Gertrude Kamkwatira in Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre and thereafter, Wanna Do Ensemble Theatre. Some of the plays I have acted in are Du Chisiza’s Kabuha Tragedy, Tatuya Futi, Prayers Invalid, Sensual Velocity, Sir Daniels, Black Blawizo, Black Cross, Drops for Banda, Mulheva, Diamonds and Demons, and most recently in 2019, Du Chisizas memorial performance of De Summer Blow, just to mention a few.

Q

: How was your experience as an actor?

A

: There’s a lot I learnt as an actor, professional acting, attention to detail, persistence and endurance. This coupled with early exposure at international audiences like the Sadc theatre festival in Mozambique and South Africa were some of my highs in professional acting. From this experience, I learnt the need to be confident, persistent and to pay attention to detail in whatever I do. You replicate this winning attitude in the workplace and the results are there for everyone to see

Q

: How do you rate local theatre?

A

: Theatre standards, especially English theatre, have gone down significantly. There is a lot that we as actors could have done, but haven’t. We have spent too much time in the boardroom shaping our careers and not sparing time to write and produce plays. However, I am happy to see that there are efforts to revive theatre. I watched Bwabwalala just recently, a play written by Suzgo Chitete. It is an excellent watch, very well researched, excellently woven and with professional direction from Jeremiah Mwaungulu, one of the finest actors Malawi has ever had. What is required now is the consistence and persistence to keep the momentum

Q

: How was it like working with Du Chisiza Jnr? Did he demand too much?

A

: Du was simply talented beyond imagination. He was a playwright, actor, producer, director, costume designer, makeup artist, music director, choreographer, stand-up comedian, etc. and in each one of these areas he delivered to perfection. And that was the same level of expectation he had of every actor. He tolerated no shortcuts, each line and move had to be rehearsed and delivered the same way irrespective of the venue. To accommodate people’s schedules, rehearsals were spread over a few days, but intensive, often running until 4am. But then, off the stage, Du was extremely kind-hearted, always encouraging, believing in and developing others. Most of Malawi’s actors and actresses have their roots in Du’s theatrical company Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre

Q

: As one of the actors who worked with Du, have you let his dream down?

A

: There have been many efforts to revive professional theatre by many of the good actors and actresses we have, but I think the biggest challenge has been the lack of resources as well as the fact that most attempts have been on a part-time basis. However, I am excited about the recent efforts from Suzgo Chitete and Jeremiah Mwaungulu. I will also be joining the team in the coming productions

Q

: What can be done to lift theatre to the lofty standards that were once achieved in the era of Du and Gertrude Kamkwatira?

A

: We have talent in Malawi, but it is mostly scanty, under-resourced and operating on part-time basis. Addressing these three pillars would go a long way in uplifting theatre standards in the country.

The post What has frustrated the growth of theatre?  appeared first on The Nation Online.