Ghanaian actor Fiifi Coleman says performing on stage brings the creativity prowess of an actor rather than screen or filmmaking.
According to him, an actor can boast of being talented if he or she could intelligently exhibit his or her acting prowess before audiences on stage, where he or she would memorize his or her scripts without referring to the content as they did in filmmaking.
“A stage play is a live performance in front of an audience, and the actors do not have the luxury enjoyed in movies where a scene can be taken over and over again or edited to fix mistakes,” he said.
Speaking in a media interview, Fiifi emphasized the need for an actor to be skilled, creative, quick-thinking, and not shy around audiences.
“You come face-to-face with your audience, and sometimes the tension alone that grips you on seeing the crowd can even make you even forget your lines, but that doesn’t happen though. Actors require quick thinking and the ability to stay in character, even in the face of distractions from the audience or mistakes. I must say that can be very challenging,” he said.
Fiifi indicated that stage acting usually has limited sets and props compared to movies, so actors have to rely more on their imagination and creativity to bring the story to life, which he claimed could be very challenging.
Fiifi also revealed plans to give more Ghanaian actors who are only used to screen acting the opportunity to mount the stage to exhibit their talent to live audiences via Fiifi Coleman Productions.
“I have given some Ghanaian actors who only do screen acting the opportunity to come on stage too, and they loved it. Actress Roselyn Ngissah is one person I have always wanted to work with on stage, and I am glad she features in my latest production, The Slaves, which shows on March 2 and 3, 2024, at the National Theatre, Accra,” he said.
The story was written by Mohamed Ben Abdallah, and some of the cast members of The Slave are Gloria Osei Sarfo, Ken Fiati, Adjetey Anang, Benjamin Kwadey, Mavis Abrokwah, and Fred Amugi.
Fiifi Coleman’s Production has to its credit plays including You Play Me, I Play You, Still A Rose, Women At Work, and Dilemma of a Ghost.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
