House of Zwide

House of Zwide actor, Warren Masemola. Image via Twitter @innomatjiane

‘They live in my head’: Warren Masemola on his nine roles in ‘Nine Lives’

The TV and film star currently acts in a one-man show, ‘Nine Lives’ at the Market Theatre.

House of Zwide

House of Zwide actor, Warren Masemola. Image via Twitter @innomatjiane

Multi-award-winning actor, Warren Masemola, has landed a role in a one-man stage show, Nine Lives at the Market Theatre.   

Masemola who’s appeared on a variety of shows such as The River, Intersexions, and Ses’Top La recently opened up about his one-man stage show with Sowetan.  

Also read: A list of straight actors who nailed their gay roles on TV

‘IT’S MY FIRST ONE-MAN ACT’  

The versatile TV and film star has scored his first theatre one-man show in his decade-long career.   

The 38-year-old actor tells the publication that he sees his one-man show as a stepping stone in his career.   

“It is my first time acting in a one-man show and it is really pushing me to grow.”

“I call it a blessed challenge. It is a very big step for me.”

“I always enjoy challenging myself by playing as many characters as possible that reflect the society we live in.”

“Playing those nine characters is not a walk in the park,”  

He plays the role of Ishmael and portrays many other characters including female characters which are all part of his main character’s (Ishmael) journey.  

He tells the publication that it’s not easy playing nine characters because each character has its own voice, own accent, and physicality.  

“These characters have their own intentions in their journeys and I have to breathe life into them.”

“Sometimes these characters live in my head. I allow them to do so because I want them to come across clearer.”  

Also read: ‘Uzalo’s’ Nelisa Mchunu joins ‘Ses’Top La’ as the new Phumzile

BACKGROUND OF ‘NINE LIVES’ 

Nine Lives is a true story about a gay Zimbabwean man named Ishmael, who flees his homophobic birth country and heads to the United Kingdom to seek asylum.  

“These characters go through a painful journey that hurts.”

“Their stories are heartbreaking and make me cry both on and off stage.”

The former The River actor says being in the shoes of these characters and experiences is heartbreaking as he sometimes feels like jumping out of the story to help.

He concludes the interview by stating that he still yearns to play a petrol attendant, bus driver, and doctor.   

Fans of Masemola can watch him in Nine Lives at the Market Theatre in Newtown until 5 December.