Lucian Msamati
| Lucian Msamati | |
|---|---|
_headshot.jpg) Lucian Msamati (2010) | |
| Born |
5 March 1976 United Kingdom |
| Other names | Wiina Msamati |
| Occupation | Actor and playwright |
Lucian Msamati, sometimes credited as Wiina Msamati, is a British-Zimbabwean film, television and theatre actor.
Early life and education
Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati was born in the United Kingdom and brought up in Zimbabwe by his Tanzanian parents, a doctor and a nurse; he is the eldest of four siblings. His primary education began at Olympio Primary School in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and continued at Avondale Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe. After secondary education at Prince Edward School in Harare, he studied towards a BA Honours Degree in French and Portuguese at the University of Zimbabwe from 1995–97.[1]
Career
Theatre
After University he took a 'day-job' as an advertising copywriter and freelance radio presenter. He enjoyed success in both in addition to being an in-demand voice-over artist, compere and after-dinner speaker.
In 1994 Msamati and school friends, Shaheen Jassat (deceased), Craig and Gavin Peter, Kevin Hanssen, Roy Chizivano, Sarah Norman founded what would become Zimbabwe's acclaimed Over the Edge Theatre Company in Harare, later joined by Erica Glyn-Jones, Zane E Lucas, Chipo Chung, Karin Alexander and Michael Pearce. Renowned for their biting, witty satirical material and their accomplished productions of classical and contemporary work, Over the Edge was the first multi-racial professional theatre company in Zimbabwe. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2004 having flown the Zimbabwe flag across Europe, the US and South Africa. The last few years have seen individual members pursuing other interests.Though not officially disbanded, there are no immediate plans of an Over the Edge reunion.[1][2] From 1998 to 2001, the company performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; some plays were written by Msamati.[1] He has appeared in several theatrical productions in London, UK, including:
|
|
In November 2010 Lucian was appointed Artistic Director of acclaimed British-African theatre company Tiata Fahodzi.[3] He continues to pursue his acting and writing career alongside developing and creating Tiata Fahodzi projects.
Television
He has also appeared in several television productions, including episodes of the television series Ultimate Force and Spooks. In 2008 he took on his most prominent role, playing JLB Matekoni in the BBC/HBO-produced series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. He has guest starred in episodes of the BBC television series Luther, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who, as well as the HBO series Game of Thrones.
Film
Msamati appeared in the film The International (2009). Other film credits include Lumumba (1999), directed by Raoul Peck; animated feature The Legend of The Sky Kingdom; Dr. Juju (2000), directed by Roger Hawkins, and Richard II, directed by Rupert Goold.[4]
Personal life
He permanently relocated to the UK in 2003,[1] and now resides in London.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Staff writer (21 March 2008). "And Now for the Good News... — Lucian Msamati Cut His Teeth Doing Political Theatre in Zimbabwe. Now He Has a Lead Role in Alexander McCall Smith's Rose-Tinted Vision of Africa. He Tells Aida Edemariam About the Filming of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Staff writer (13 March 2008). "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency – Lucian Msamati Plays JLB Matekoni". BBC Online. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- ↑ Tiata Fahodzi – Africans in British Theatre.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Database (undated). "Lucian Msamati". The Spotlight. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
External links
|