Lucius in Nollywood glitz
The sound of oga and igwe slang in Malawi would be a signal of the popularity of Nollywood films beyond Nigeria’s borders.
With Nigerian dress, music, mannerisms and nightlife being modelled along Africa’s largest film industry, fans of Nollywood films and Africa Magic savour every encounter with the stainless names behind the sparks of the continent’s largest movie industry on your screen.
Having wined and dined with some of the sizzling Nollywood actors—Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot and Patience “Mama G” Ozokwor—the local film are in for a melting pot of fun when Ghanaian Joseph van Vicker comes face to face with Lucius in the return of Rising Choreos and Theatre Company’s stage play, Well Calculated, in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, next month.
More glitz and glamour
The Lilongwe-based theatre troupe first staged the six-member play in 2010, but it comes back with more glitz and glamour when it reappears with the Life singer and Divine Love actor at Sunbird Capital Marquee on April 29.
“I can confirm that MultiChoice is working hand in hand with Rising Choreos to give lovers of Africa Magic and Nollywood films a live performance involving Van Vicker and our own Soldier. The visiting artist will take part in the stage play after an exclusive party with DStv subscribers at Sunbird Lilongwe on April 28,” said Nyirenda.
Born to a Ghanaian mother and Dutch father on August 1 1977, Van Vicker received two nominations for best actor in a leading role and best up-and-coming actor at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
His itinerary shows he will jet in through Chileka Airport in Blantyre at 12.30pm on April 25 before gracing an autograph signing session at a red-carpet party with DStv customers at Sunbird Mount Soche in the city the following night.
On his way to Lilongwe, Van Vicker will stop over at an undisclosed charity in Zomba on April 27.
In an interview, Well Calculated writer-cum-director Joyce Mhango-Chavula was grateful to host Van Vicker after featuring Elliot in their 2010 production, Footsteps of the First Lady, and Mama G in last year’s The Return.
Running one hour and 15 minutes, Well Calculated is a story about three ambitious girls. One of them is successful despite being abandoned by her father before birth. When her mother dies, she starts searching for her father and meets a long-time friend who has just been dumped by a guy in the countdown to their wedding.
“The rest of the cast will be released soon, but Van Vicker plays the guy who dumps his love just before the wedding,” said Chavula, founder of the Rising Choreos.
‘Most musicians venturing into acting’
Still, Lucius Banda said rubbing shoulders with the Nollywood ace is a step forward because most renowned musicians are venturing into acting.
“As musicians, we have the potential to become actors because what we do is more complicated than drama. We say in a single breath what actors say in hours. This is the start of another avenue in the arts,” said the Life star and self-confessed admirer of Nollywood films.
He discredited the notion that the films are patronised by women, saying he learns a lot by browsing through anything from Nollywood and US’ Hollywood to India’s Bollywood.
