RENOWNED actress Charity Dlodlo has taken the stage by storm, using her powerful storytelling and captivating performance to address the pressing issues faced by women in society. In a thought-provoking theatre play held in celebration of the Women's Month recently at Theatre in the Park, Harare, Dlodlo's production aims to raise awareness and ignite conversations surrounding gender equality and women's rights.
Once an Actress is a one-woman show written by Tony Layton, directed by Stanley Mambo, produced by Patience Tawengwa and performed by Dlodlo.
The play follows the story of Sarah, a factory worker, who travels back in time and reflects on her acting career, including auditions, drama school and the challenges of being a jobbing actress.
Dlodlo’s play investigates the complex world of the entertainment industry, shedding light on the daily struggles women face, such as sexual harassment and the abuse of power, inspired by her own experiences and those of her fellow actresses.
Dlodlo fell in love with the script as it resonated deeply with her journey as a woman in the industry.
‘’I have been acting for 22 years, and when I came across the script, I instantly connected with it. The themes of sexual harassment and abuse of power portrayed in the play are unfortunately prevalent in our industry and beyond, affecting women everywhere. Stanley Mambo, the director, made adaptations to the script to reflect the experiences of actresses in Africa.
“We specifically addressed incidents that occur within the industry, including personal experiences. Having worked with Nigerian actors before, I've had a few memorable and eye-opening experiences,” she said.
Dlodlo highlighted that despite the hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, her team dedicated six months of rehearsing the play in Malawi.
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‘’I had to sell my car to finance the production of the play since I could not find any sponsors. It was my first time performing a one-person show, and initially, I felt overwhelmed by the challenge of working on the script alone. Memorising the lines was a tough task, and I even considered giving up.
The physical aspect of the play required spinning, which has always been a therapeutic and joyful activity for me since childhood. After a month, I managed to memorise my lines and began to enjoy the creative process,” she said.
Critics and theatre enthusiasts praised Dlodlo's performance as a tour de force.
ZBC news anchor, Joyce Mabika, commended Dlodlo's ability to bring the script to life.
‘’I thoroughly enjoyed, learnt and related to Dlodlo’s performance, seeing her playing different characters and doing stunts and flips on stage,’’ she said.
Dlodlo continues to make waves with Once an Actress, showing her commitment to amplifying women's voices and advocating gender equality.
Her play serves as a powerful platform for dialogue and introspection, encouraging society to address the prevalent issues faced by women in the industry.
Charmaine Mujeri, a film and theatre actress, said: ‘’Charity skilfully addresses the challenges faced by women, women often experience rejection and sometimes encounter inappropriate behaviour from directors. Through her play, she amplifies the voices of women, reminding them that not every role or opportunity may be the right fit for them. She encourages women to explore other paths where they can find their breakthrough, ensuring that they don't settle for situations that undermine their worth.
Charity's play serves as a platform to empower women and spark conversations about these important industry issues.”
