Meet Mourad Sadat - The Nubian King of Theatre

Born 31^st May 1985 in Nairobi Mourad is a rare breed of stellar actors that have ever graced the Phoenix Players stage.

He started acting at the age of 9 in Class three at Thornden Primary where as a boy scout he performed skits to his fellows during camps.

“It was at Eastleigh high where my artistic juices burst with a flame where I was a member of the drama club and subsequently involved in Drama festivals” Says the exceptionally tongued Sadat. From there he got trained at the performance training workshop hosted by the renowned Keith Pearson.

He has most recently finished his law degree at Makerere University majoring in corporate affairs and is set to graduate soon and later do his post graduate diploma.

Having been a timid and self inundated kid, acting is the only other form of art that truly lights up Mourad’s world. “Through acting my different characters get exposed, I could adopt and become anything I want to be and that boosts my confidence.” He says

He says that at first people misconceive him a snob but what really makes him an exceptional actor is his passion, dedication and diligence in every performance. “I go an extra mile in every script I take and I feel I haven’t done that, I would rather not do it at all.”

He has featured in countless theatrical performances at Phoenix, Alliance,KNT and Radio theatre. His notable TV appearances include Nairobi Law, Shuga Sn. II, he has also featured in the abroad movies Africa Monamoir and Taking the Flack and is currently shooting Mali.

His best moment on set is when his hard work pays off and the director declares a shot perfect in the first take.

He however asserts that the hardest thing he has to do on stage is to act drunk! And that the worst moment he ever had, was clumsily banging his head on the door after an outburst of his energy.

“Although the audience laughed as it seemed to be part of the plot it was my most embarrassing moment”   

His unique qualities as an actor he says are his colour, exuberant stage presence and ability to completely envelope and internalize a script.

Mourad who features in the farce Who’s Who showing at Phoenix Players says that his favourite actor of all time is Fareed Khimani “whose level of professionalism and character on set would lift up anyone.”

In the near future he sees himself practicing law, voicing the voiceless and producing film.

He adds that “if I had the power to change something in the Kenyan Industry, I would change the stereotype that Kenyan actors are lazy and are in the profession because of lack of an alternative”

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The One Show You Shouldn’t Miss

It is official that women are tired the cheating and hurting ways of men.

The Play Three fold cord by Scott Marshall could not possibly have come at a better time.

 The beautifully crafted masterpiece looks at the lives of three women who are caught in the web of Marcus who is well respected and senior lawyer in criminal and high profile cases.

What really stands out about this intriguing drama is how the three different women perceive Marcus and the disparities in each of their characters.

Victoria his wife is an accomplished actress from a wealthy background. She is self indulgent, wary and we are almost tempted to think she is unaware of Marcus’ indiscretions. But we find out there is more than meets the eye about Victoria.

Millicent on the hand losses her husband  - Marcus’ best friend.  She is taken in by the allure of passion and chemistry that had been missing in her marriage.  Of the three she is rather naive, and takes into Marcus’ every whim, believing that they are madly in love and were meant to be by the good heavens. She is convinced that Marcus is with her because his self obsessed wife is not catering to his needs.

Dexie is a commercial sex worker who falls for the money and promise of a good life that Marcus is all too willing to provide. But she breaks the first rule she was taught about the streets and falls in love with the man. His extravagance, craziness and the ability to let loose and live life like there is no tomorrow. She bears him a son and the happenings thereafter are better watched on stage than told.

This is a Show for every Man and Woman out there. It will give everyone a chance to reflect on our own lives and our own little “things” on the side.

In my mind, Scott Marshall wrote this play to simply tell us that everything we do in life, every move we make and every social encounter we come across; they all have an impact on other people and the world at large.

Three Fold Cord Opens On Friday July 6^th to July 21^st at the Phoenix theatre. This is one show you don’t want to miss.

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