To play a leading role in the legendary Sarafina! is a big deal.
“When I auditioned for a role in it I told myself that I would grab the best role,” said Noxolo Dlamini. “It is a big deal for my young career to act as Sarafina.”
Dlamini will follow in the footsteps of a young Leleti Khumalo in the remake of the much-loved Mbongeni Ngema musical.
It returns to its ancestral home, the State Theatre in Pretoria, with previews from February 28 to March 9 and the opening night on March 10.
It closes on May 20 and will become the longest-running African musical at the theatre.
Dlamini, a 23-year-old University of Pretoria graduate, tried her luck and impressed the casting directors with her talent.
They did not hesitate to put her in the lead role.
“I auditioned like everyone else. When I went for my first audition, Nhlanhla Ngema (Mbongeni’s brother and assistant director) was impressed,” she said.
“He told me I had the potential of being Sarafina.”
Dlamini explained that she had done drama most of her life, starting during her primary school days and continuing through to her studies at the University of Pretoria.
She had always dreamt of being in a lead actress in a huge play.
“When we used to play as kids I always wanted to act Sarafina, but someone would always take that role before me.
“Now I have got the real thing. I am so excited.”
Sarafina! centres on pupils during the Soweto riots of 1976, opposing the implementation of Afrikaans as their language of instruction.
The title role of Sarafina! was taken by Khumalo, and through dance and acting, her character convincingly inspired her peers to rise in protest against oppression.
The musical was staged at the State Theatre in Pretoria in 1987 and later at various other venues across the country before it premiered on Broadway in January 1988, running until to July 1989, with 597 performances and 11 previews.
It returned home to the State Theatre in 2004, attracting more than 25000 people over 27 performances.
Dlamini, who holds a BA in Dramatic Arts, said of Sarafina!: “This is our history. I hereby take it upon myself to take people down memory lane.”
She said she would be acting out emotional scenes from a painful era, singing and
dancing to the beats which had held audiences across
the world captive over the years.
Dlamini was born in Chiawelo, Soweto, and her career has seen her featuring in internationally-acclaimed productions, including the Julie Taymor-produced Lion King in London and Fantasy of Light by Lizz Meiring.
She also starred at the Grahamstown Arts Festival in Street Lights with Lips, directed by Napo Mashiane, and Bat Boy: The Musical.