Let’s play pretend!

Facilitated by Zaza Muchemwa (Writer / Director)
Words by Alex Gwaze (Curator)

When I was in high school I always enjoyed the ‘pretending’ part of being on stage. A sort of fake it until they believe it type of situation. Not like social media where you have to fake it until you make it (using a well crafted picture and a pose). On stage you have to be that character and project your performance all the way to the back rows, voice and all. Plus people know you are acting but they won’t be hurt if they believe you – It’s live. What a zestful situation to be in! I absolutely miss it. I was talking to Zaza about that feeling and she though it would be great to get two Thespians (“at the top of the game”) to really illustrate it what it takes to craft a great stage performance.

Shaun and Charmaine have met several times and they wasted no time getting into how “taxing” performing on stage is. What is more, in their conversation they also talked about karaoke, rhinos, murder, the soft life, gag orders, and mental health.

SHAUN: We find ourselves together again (laughs). Somehow we always end up in the same spaces! I guess our industry is pretty small, but the good thing is every time I find myself with you around I enjoy myself! Talk to me, how was the rest of your run in “Medea”? That was an incredible performance.

CHARMAINE: Bless sugar! Yoh that was an emotionally taxing play. I had to go to some pretty dark places to portray her in her most magnificent self. Got some pretty dope reviews. Maria Wilson’s one stood out for me. I’ll send you the link. You know you’ve done your job when people start looking at you differently. But you’re not sure if it’s awe or fear (laughs).

SHAUN: You’ve always been a great talent with a great personality.

CHARMAINE: Thank you. I can honestly say that being part of an utterly enthralled audience for this amazing and courageous production, was an honour. I felt as if I had been allowed to watch and experience, first hand the utter humiliation and destruction of a family, a kingdom, a woman – a woman who is in no way weak, unstable or pathetic. What a refreshing and unique portrayal of infidelity, betrayal and motherhood.

SHAUN: I enjoyed the production. It was definitely something fresh.

CHARMAINE: You know from the outset, the production set out to defy conventional portrayals of women, mothers, family life, power, murder. It’s a tremendously riveting and affecting portrayal and presentation of this amazing ancient Greek play. Those latter three adjectives may be off putting for some but I assure you, you the production challenged the audience in the most positive and stimulating way. Every member of this cast is strong and acts his or her role with complete conviction and integrity. The costuming and staging is simple but effective. I am so encouraged by the direction new production houses such as Black Box Productions are moving theatre in Zimbabwe. The production reaches levels of professionalism, intelligence and courage, rarely experienced in Zim. It is not an exaggeration to say it was utterly brilliant. But enough about me, I’m super proud and congratulations again for “The Lion King” and NAMA! Woohoo.

SHAUN: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am settling into the work and life in the United Kingdom. As you know I have joined up with the cast of “The Lion King” UK and Ireland tour, or the “rhino tour” as they call it. I’m going to be understudying Simba as well as doing an ensemble track.

CHARMAINE: Sounds exciting! How good are your singing skills? There must be a lot of singing and dancing in “The Lion King”.

SHAUN: True, “The Lion King” is very song and dance. As the longest running and highest grossing musical in the world you definitely have to able to hold a note! (Well). But, when I get asked if I consider myself a “singer”, I would say, “I’m not quite a recording artist”. I’m more an actor who can sing.

CHARMAINE: (Laughs) Nice one.

SHAUN: (laughs) I’m serious. I mean I have done a couple of vocal performances, on stage and at concerts. Back in school I would always enter the vocal solos in the local eisteddfods. And, I’m also a huge huge fan of karaoke. You won’t find me in the nightclubs, but you’ll definitely find me in the karaoke bars. So, although I’m not a “professional” singer, my vocals are a tool that I’ve been sharpening over the years.

CHAIRMAINE: Wow! So you’ve been ready for this part.

SHAUN: I can’t say I’m that ready. The part that’s been the most challenging for me is actually the dance. I dance but I am not the dancer in the group (laughs).

CHARMAINE: This is why we need you out with us. You skipped to many nightclubs dance floors (laughs). Just saying.

SHAUN: Yes (laughs). I start thinking about Zim when I started working on the dance. I have a lot of dancer friends in Zim and they pointed me in the right direction. So I’ve taken some contemporary dance classes, a few Afro and Hip hop classes – and even ballet! Dance requires so much discipline mentally and physically. I’ve had to go and work on it the most! But admittedly it’s been a lot of fun.

CHARMAINE: When you are doing what you love, the work is always fun. It’s a beautiful thing because I don’t think some of our home grown talent actually factors any of this into their thinking. Building that mental and physical stamina is crucial in becoming the best you can be.

SHAUN: I have to admit that’s one of the things I love about being an actor. The new and amazing things one has to learn for roles. To transform oneself into the character.

CHARMAINE: You are so right. You really can’t act as if you can dance or sing on stage. It’s actually something you have to do live. You end up learning new skills. That reminds me. For me, the good minister from Kunyarara pushed my physical stamina for a role. I remember TCee, who was in charge of choreography – it was 6 weeks of torture. But the applause made it worthwhile. One thing we tend to forget as performers is what a varied audience we always have. From the dancers themselves to fellow actors, doctors, students, lovers and what not. There’s a level of honesty that you have to find within yourself to truly ‘sell’ your character’s performance in every show.

SHAUN: I’ve always loved the idea of these huge actors in Hollywood having to literally physically transform into super heroes for some of these roles. Some actors have to learn martial arts, transform their bodies, add new gun skills and even languages to their repertoire. That concept is where the thrill is for me. So to be able to have a taste of that on my acting journey has been amazing. You know I didn’t quite believe it until the costume fitting.

CHARMAINE: It must be a mad experience. How big is your cast? You’re the only Zimlish?

SHAUN: There are about 50 cast members who make the show happen this includes the swings and standbys. And about 100 all together from all departments – from wardrobe, to props to stage management etc, that make it happen! I am actually not the only Zimlish in my cast. There’s also an extremely talented actor Peace Nzirawa who is here with me. He’s been part of “The Lion King” family for about 7 years now, he used to do the international tour. He is also part of the ensemble and covers the Mufasa character. His been a great help. So team work really does make the dream work!

CHARMAINE: Wow that’s pretty dope. At least you’re not the only one! Funny thing is I have not heard of him. Ma unsung heroes akawanda in this industry. It’s sad.

SHAUN: Definitely, this what I’m seeing in my adventures so far as well. Everywhere I go I find at least one Zimbo doing pretty well there just without the plaudits quite yet. Although this guy was previously in the “Roots” series before this. There are actually quite a few young Zimbos doing well around the globe. The Thulani Nzonsos, Daniel Lasker, Leroy Sifaya, and more. A whole new generation just waiting for that one big project that really gets everyone’s names out there. And they are close.

CHARMAINE: I love how the industry is trying to catch up to the rest of the world, finally. But it seems as though there’s a gag order regarding what is deemed acceptable.

SHAUN: What do you mean?

CHARMAINE: As artists we are social commentators and we owe it to the world around us to bring issues to the forefront. Why do we then turn a blind eye to what is happening around us. To spare the people? Cushion them to what is really happening? I think our problems as a society begins when we try to sugar coat things, make certain issues more palatable. But what happens to the Art itself? I like writing about the dark matter. Those things that we shy away from as human beings, mostly from the perpetrators point of view. I thinks that’s always the best way to understand humanity better. See if we can empathise or find the drivers for some of the acts that society would deem horrific or barbaric. We all have that in us, it’s just that some are easily triggered into these acts. Are we ready to look at ourselves?

SHAUN: Zimbabweans are not seeking anything more than entertainment these days. That’s what a friend told me.

CHARMAINE: Soft life is a myth and we’re meant to challenge this in our craft. I guess I like to push boundaries, a lot of people who know me will testify. Outside of Shakespeare most of the roles I go for are not designed to make anyone comfortable! Art provides a platform for us to begin that necessary dialogue that we’d never broach in the so called polite society. We only hurt ourselves and future generations when we allow our voices to be muted or out-rightly gagged. We need to create more work that reveals who we are and who we are becoming. We can’t always be looking to the outside to distract us with entertainment, and copy and paste their issues and concerns.

SHAUN: “If you can’t find a way make one”. I feel like this was said with Zimbabwean creatives in mind. I think creating harder stories could be something you should look into, seeing as you’re directing stuff as well now?

CHARMAINE: Definitely! However, on the other hand I find it so hard to de-role! Especially when I feel I haven’t done service to a character, or when the character has become a part of me to the point where I am still reacting as that character even off stage. I’m pretty sure that there are several others just like me who need help de-roling and re-centering. So sometimes when people say actors/performers are not normal or actors are extra, it’s because they might be still carrying around the ghosts of characters past. Zvekutoti, some form of psychological support should be given. Mental health issues are real AF.

SHAUN: I definitely agree! I’ve always said I recommend therapy for actors especially after performing really taxing roles. Here at “The Lion King” for example there is actually a dedicated specialist for the cast’s mental health and well being. Which I think is amazing. Especially when you are preparing for your role, and all that pressure.

CHARMAINE: Nice! Which remind me. How do you prepare for your roles?

SHAUN: Preparing for a role varies for me. But the one thing is I’m big on researching my characters. I like to look at who they are and find examples of similar figures and characters either historically or in other works or adaptations. Then I create my my own interpretation to avoid having someone else’s view point. I try to make my characters as complete as possible even if a script isn’t. So I’ll make up back stories for them, plan what they do in their daily lives, what they were doing before and after the performance etc. Just to make them as three dimensional and to feel as complete and well rounded as possible. Only after I’ve come up with something do I then look at past interpretations and scrutinize, compare and contrast a bit. Once I’m done with character I sort of put them in a “room” in my head. Where I’m able to open that room and access them when I need them.

CHARMAINE: I like the idea of locking the character in a room so they can’t come out in random situations (laughs). You know I’m super excited to try my hand at directing. As a stage and film actress it’s going to be interesting to see things from the other side where I have to get into the character of the Director.

SHAUN: Is that why asked (laughs). I am excited for you. And I know whatever you do it will be great.

CHARMAINE: That’s for the encouragement. I’ve had the privilege to have been directed by some of the best and worst directors (to be honest). So I kinda know what directorial style I want to lean into. From everything my director friends have been saying casting is the hardest part, it’s 60% of the directing itself. Which makes want to automatically go with seasoned actors. By the way I am looking for a designer for a red carpet dress. Do you know any?

SHAUN: Let me ask around and DM you.

CHARMAINE: Thanks. Let’s catch up soon. I want to hear more about how the professionals do tours in the UK.

SHAUN: (Laughs) No problem will keep you updated!

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