Molosi looks to Botswana for the next Broadway Star
Along with New York City’s Broadway, London’s West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English- speaking world. Seeing a West End show is a common tourist experience when they visit London. This year, the world’s largest solo theatre festival called United Solo will debut on the West End with a Motswana actor Donald Molosi as co- curator.
United Solo Festival is the world’s largest solo theatre festival and it has been based off- Broadway in New York City since inception in 2010. Molosi has since performed four of his plays at United Solo in New York, ultimately winning the Best Actor Award in 2011 for his performance as Sir Seretse Khama in ‘ Blue, Black and White’. Following this win, Molosi was inducted as an Academy Member of United Solo. According to the United Solo website, membership in the Academy is by invitation of United Solo and is limited to those who have been awarded at the United Solo Theatre Festival. The Academy members are encouraged to discover new talents, recommend solo shows, suggest nominees and vote for winners each year.
In 2021, United Solo will expand its audience to include a tour on London’s West End. Says Molosi of the development: “I think it’s fantastic what the festival management is doing. This year I am assisting with setting up the West End part of the festival. I hope that there will be many submissions from Southern Africa. We are the most under- represented part of Africa on these prestigious platforms. Submissions are opening soon. I am searching for Botswana’s next Broadway star.”
Along with having a new London festival in addition to the long- standing New York one, United Solo will also have the virtual festival in 2021 as well. Performers can submit pre- recorded performances with their application and they could be selected to perform virtually through the festival’s digital platforms. “The festival will have a virtual platform for performers as well. So, if you cannot travel because of COVID precautions or any other reason, you can still perform at United Solo. Performers can just Google United Solo and submit online. This is a great opportunity for Botswana performers.”
Past winners at United Solo include Anna Deavere Smith, John Leguizamo, and most recently Sir Ian McKellen.
Molosi has had an award- winning career on Broadway and off- Broadway for the past 12 years. He began as an understudy on the hit musical Fela! in 2009. This was followed by his critically- acclaimed performances including Today It’s Me ( 2010) as Philly Lutaaya which won a special mention; in Blue, Black and White as Sir Seretse Khama ( 2011) which won both Best Solo and Best Actor awards; in Motswana: Africa, Dream Again ( 2012) as Boemo. In 2016 Molosi returned off- Broadway with his directorial debut of two shows called Black Man Samurai! and Dear Zibanani. Molosi wrote all his off- Broadway productions through the years.