Gospel Artiste, Solomon Lange, is making his theatric debut this Easter Monday in the Rivers of Water (ROW) Productions Waiting For Her.
Written by Swedish Playwright, Eli Sophie Andree, Waiting For Her is the story of a young woman grieving the loss of her best friend whose larger-than-life presence while alive overshadowed hers to the point that she is invincible to their peers, while she suffers self-identity crisis following her death.
But ROW is readapting the production to fit the Easter Season. ROW’s CEO and Production Director, Mr Patrick Otoro brings a symbolic approach to his adaptation. While the main plotline is still about the protagonist who is waiting for a bus, the bus now signifies the road of heaven, and her schoolmate and potential love interest – ‘a distraction’ from what really matters which is ‘the salvation of her soul’.
Similarly, the friend’s ghost appears not to jolt her back to living life as her authentic self, but as a ‘Lazarus’ of sorts, to warn her that heaven and hell is real, and there is a need to change her lifestyle and atheistic beliefs. While she is waiting, a pastor (played by Lange) comes along to talk to her about God.
“I needed to speak to the season deliberatively. Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a play for unbelievers. I hope when people bring along their friends, they can hear this message,” said Otoro.
On why he chose to cast a singer with no acting background, Otoro admitted it was an experiment, with a commercial intent. However, he didn’t just want the singer to sing, but act too. Hence, he has limited Lange’s character to a few lines that he can deliver without too much trouble. Lange joins the production cast for rehearsals.
“He has never done something like this before and is quite excited. I also did it for commercial reasons,” said the director.
Otoro follows the recent trend in Nollywood/movie industries, where producers cast social media influencers (with zero acting skill/background) as major protagonists (for their million followers) to guarantee commercial success of the movie, Otoro takes a more practical approach, where he casts popular non-acting celebrities in smaller roles, or with smaller lines.
“It’s an experiment I am doing at the moment. And I feel it can work. If it works, I’m going to continue with it.”
Starring veteran and talented actress Olajumoke Olatunbosun, Solomon Lange and Patrick Otoro, Waiting For Her premieres Easter Monday, April 1, 2024 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
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