Embodying Philly Bongoley Lutaaya
Donald Molosi, re-enacts the life of Ugandan music legend Philly Bongoley Lutaaya in his play, Today It’s Me at Uganda National Cultural Centre recently. Courtesy photo
What you need to know:
Theatre. Some of Lutaaya’s fans shed tears recently as the deceased legends life came back on stage.
In his black shades, green scarf round the neck with a black jacket to match, Philly Bongoley Lutaaya seemed to take stage at the Uganda National Cultural Centre, singing Today It’s Me, 26 years after his death. But, this was Donald Molosi, an actor from Botswana who was introduced to this legendary icon’s story by a Ugandan friend while at school in the US.
Word for word, Molosi took the audience through a journey of the fallen artiste’s life, his struggles raising his children in Sweden, battle with alcohol, depression, acceptance, and his crusade against HIV/Aids, especially among Ugandans to deter stigma. Yet, he did this with the ease of a native Ugandan, one who knows, has lived and been part of Lutaaya’s experience. His script in Luganda came off brilliantly. You would think this Motswana was born and raised in the Kabaka’s palace.
In fact, while he shared “his story”, an outburst of tears strums from a lady in the audience. He gave the audience an emotional roller-coaster ride.
“I have lost many family members to HIV, and doing this is a way of healing, and with this comes the hope that it touches someone else and heals them too,” Molosi said.
The Play
Performed as a one-man play celebrating the life of Philly Lutaaya, a musician who used his skill to change people’s minds about HIV/Aids, Today It’s Me has been staged Off-Broadway in New York and won several prizes. Set with just a table, chair, bottle of beer and a guitarist on the side to accompany music, Molosi costumed with detail, curating a 30-minute play from an initially two-hour play during the Writivism Festival last month.
It is imperative to note that initially staged five years ago, it took Molosi two years of research, a year of writing, learning Luganda and reading archives, six months of constant work to premiere, and four years to come up with the two-hour piece showed on Broadway.
Lutaaya’s contribution to music was given utmost respect. To date, airwaves buzz with his Christmas carols annually, yet despite renditions made by artistes, including Juliana Kanyomozi, Molosi’s seems to be the better tribute theatre/arts could accord this legend.
Who is Molosi?
Born in Botswana, Molosi studied Acting in Drama in the USA, where he also studied phonetic alphabet. He plans to build a theatre back home, and to embody more African legends such as Fella Kuti. He prefers stage because it gives immediacy from art forms, allowing him to respond to emotions from the audience.
