Award-winning actor Warren Masemola is set to play a breathtaking role in a play about a Zimbabwean immigrant who is searching for greener pastures.
He will be starring in Nine Lives, a theatre play about Ishmael, who runs away from Zimbabwe to live in the United Kingdom.
It is written by Zodwa Nyoni, a Zimbabwean playwright based in the UK.
Nine Lives is currently running at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Joburg until 13 December.
The play’s director, Diamond Mokoape, spoke to SunBuzz about it.
“The play is about Ishmael who has run away from Zimbabwe because they found out he’s gay. And as people may be aware, gay people are killed or imprisoned for being queer in some other countries, including Zimbabwe,” she said.
“He runs to Yorkshire in the UK to get asylum. He has challenges there because no one is assisting him. Again he is prejudiced because he’s gay and because he’s black, he’s a victim of racism,” she said.
ALSO READ : LALELA HAPPY TO BE IN ISRAEL!
Diamond said Nine Lives is about the people Ishmael meets on his journey.
“He tells us about the eight characters that he has met and who have made an impact in his life. He’s the ninth person.
“The people are from the minute he leaves Zimbabwe to when he’s told he cannot get asylum in the UK.
“In writing the play, Zodwa was basically telling people about hers and other people’s experiences since moving and requesting asylum in the UK. Some bits of it are from research, but she spoke to people trying to find out how their experiences were,” she said.
The director said they hope the play will teach people about acceptance.
“We hope that people will accept others for who they are and be kind. They will see that just because you are happy, it doesn’t mean that everyone around you is okay.
“People need to be careful how they speak to other people and what they say,” said Diamond.
“When immigrants go to another country, they are trying to find better lives and they don’t need the stress from other people in that country,” she said.
Diamond said Warren will be exceptional.
“The audience should expect to be wowed by his talent. He’s a wonderful and versatile actor.
“They will also be wowed by a powerful story from beginning to end.
“There will be all sorts of emotions. It will not be a smooth journey. People will go through a lot of emotions with Ishmael,” said Diamond.
Tickets cost between R90 and R150 at Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores.
