Meet the Vivacious Actress: Damaris Matunda

Written by : Faith Oneya

Damaris Matunda is a Kenyan actress who has appeared in numerous local productions . In “Noose of Gold”, she acted as one of the lead actors for three seasons, and she has made appearances in “Wash and Set” and  M-Net’s “Changes”. She was a supporting actress in the movie “The Semester”. She is a mother of one beautiful daughter. Follow her on Twitter: @matundadidy

LC: Who is Dama?

DM: Dama is talkative, outgoing, friendly, adventurous, loves cooking, I am a mother, I am a risk taker I  like living on the edge, I am very bold I could say, I am quite a character I could say, that’s me.

LC:  What are your hobbies?

DM: I like swimming but I can’t swim , like seriously, I love cooking, I am the best self-made cook, I like poetry, I like watching plays, movies, I  like spending time with my friends, love traveling , I would love to do more traveling in future, I love socializing, acting is work to some but it’s also a hobby because I love doing it, I feel like it’s not work for me, it’s more like a calling, something that I am so passionate about .

LC: Which actors do you admire ?

DM: I admire Ken Ambani because apart from being a good actor, he is very passionate about his talent and having worked with him personally, he is such a humble guy, someone I have grown to respect, he is one of those people who paved way for acting in Kenya and Gilbert Lukalia other local actors I look up to is Peter King, Nini Wacera, Lupita Nyong’o the all have such great talent.

Internationally I like Forest Whitaker because he takes his character so seriously and brings them to life so well, generally I just like him, Anthony Hopkins, Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts they are all  wonderful actors.

LC: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

DM: I am a big dreamer, so I have written and unwritten dreams for the future, I hope to have accomplished what is planned for the next five years.

LC: What advice would you give to young aspiring actors?

DM: They should get into acting with the right attitude and for the right reasons knowing that it’s a job like any other because it requires a lot of hard work, passion, dedication and integrity and it’s not for the faint hearted.

LC: Do you think the government is doing enough to support the entertainment industry?

DM: It is trying but it is not yet doing enough, we still have a long way to go, especially in terms of support and quality.

LC: Aspirations?

DM: I would like to make a difference in the society to make Kenya a better place regardless of the field and I hope that I am positive influence to my fans.

LC: What motivates you?

DM: What motivates me is my daughter, the fact that she looks up to me makes me feel like an idol so it makes me go that extra mile knowing that I just have to be the best every day, I can’t go back, it only has to get better.

LC: Challenges?

DM: Knowing that you have to wake up to tackle something new, it makes me embrace life and be more energetic and positive and its always rewarding after every challenge that I beat/get through, it just gives me peace, it makes me feel like a superwoman.

Poverty motivates me in the sense that I don’t want to be poor so I am motivated to work hard to get the fine things in life.

LC: Your parting shot?

DM: Watch this space I am coming back with a big bang and I am here to stay!

Meet the Cast of DEATH AND THE ESTATE (First Show Dec 9th 2011,6.30pm KNT )

Written by Faith Oneya 

MARY OTIENO; A talented actress that has been featured in local TV series and Movies including SAINTS, SIRI, THE TUSLE, KILLER NECKLACE. A gifted actress who is fluent in portraying characters with ease and charm. She joins the Cast as MARGARET in DEATH AND THE ESTATE – A tough lady who will do anything to succeed.

PAULINE MUKIRI a gifted actress and aspiring media personality. She has been featured on local movies and TV series. She is currently studying media and on attachment at ONE FM, where she also writes entertainment stories for their website.
She joins the cast as KATE – a sexy housemaid with ill intentions that every man wants to have.

KEVIN YEGON – is a brilliant actor who has been on the scene for a while. He is also part of Phoenix players and has been in numerous stage play productions such as enemy of the people and river between. He has also done a movie called ‘captain of nakara’ and he is featured in MALI tv series on NTV. He joins the cast as EBENEZER – a wealthy but immoral business man.

MAUREEN MUTHEU -She has recently returned from Germany with an insatiable urge to realise her dream of establishing herself in the local thriving and exciting theatre and film industry. Having relocated six years ago to Berlin, Maureen has joined us and is set to take the stage as `Mary´ – a spoilt girl who fights for her late father’s property.

CHECKMATE MIDO – an accomplished rapper, poet and spoken word artist – Mido has performed in numerous concerts. He was also featured in our last production MAYOR’S DIARY – He plays Spencer, a corrupt lawyer who wants to rip off  his client – will he manage to do that?

Interview with Maurice Kokonya,Creative Director

Written by Faith Oneya
1. Please tell us a little about yourself and how long you
have been directing etc .Was there someone who inspired you to get into
theatre? If so, who?

I’m Maurice Kokonya I’m a creative writer and graphic designer, I write screen and stage plays. I’ve been directing plays for around 10 years. My literature teacher in high school really encouraged me and made me enjoy writing.
2. · Choose a play/ movie title for the story of your life?

RYTHMS OF A RAINBOW

3. · When you looked in the mirror first thing this morning,
what was the first thing you thought?

I got to make my play DEATH AND THE ESTATE successful
4. · Why did you pick this show? Can you tell us a little bit
about it?

It’s a play I wrote about 9 years ago. It tells the story of greed and dishonesty through the eyes of different people from different social and economic classes. The story is about a family that fights for inheritance but they realise there is something more valuable, a portion that makes one immortal. Alliances are soon formed among people with vested interest to get this portion.
5. · Who do you think will like this show? Anything else you
would like to add?

I think this plays suits everyone because anyone can relate to it regardless of their social or economic background. I would like everyone to come see it, it’s really entertaining. It runs at the Kenya National Theatre from 9^th 10^th and 11^th December. Tickets go for 500/= shilling. For any enquiries call Maurice 0724347509
6. · What’s next for you or the theatre?

I will be doing my next play called THE RIGHT CHICKEN in February next year.