Cooking his goose
Guess who’s coming to dinner! Romeo is sitting down to feast with the Langas.
Scandal! Weekdays e.tv (*194) 19:30
One of our all-time favourite things on TV is an awkward dinner party. And the line between gracious hospitality and the desire to stab someone with silverware is never thinner than when it’s a “meet the parents” dinner. Romeo (Hungani Ndlovu) knows that he’ll be taking a dip in the shark tank when Xolile Langa (Sivenathi Mabuya) invites him to sit down with her family on Thursday 29 March. But it could be worth it. “He sees an opportunity. That opportunity is to get back into the good books of her dad Siseko (Hlomla Dandala) by treating his daughter right and proving that he has reformed,” explains Hungani. As for why Romeo wants that, well, he has his reasons. But with delicious tension, simmering resentment and teeth- clenching politeness on the menu, we can’t wait to see what happens at the dinner table.
KNIVES OUT
Siseko isn’t the only dinner guest who’d like to yank Romeo’s chair out from under him when they settle down to eat. Xolile’s brother Chumani (Ayanda Daweti) has no time for Romeo’s nonsense, nor does Chumani’s date for the evening Mary (Mikateko Hlabangwane). “Chumani is one of his obstacles because they’ve had interactions before and they didn’t go too well. Chumani is also associated with Mary, who is also not a big fan of Romeo’s, which could filter through to the parents,” points out Hungani. He’s right to be worried – Romeo’s previous “girlfriend” Lindiwe (Nomvelo Makhanya) is Mary’s bestie, so she knows every dirty detail. “The staring contest between Romeo and Mary across the table is a fun moment that I really enjoyed,” hints the actor.
CUTTING THE TENSION
“It’s a tense dinner and there are awkward moments looking at each other but not knowing what to say,” teases Hungani. “Then they try break the ice or the silence by complimenting someone or asking a question related to something that Siseko is doing. It is so awkward.” Behind the scenes the cast was digging in. “It was fun!” laughs Hungani gleefully. “It was so unusual for us to be in such an awkward space because we are all friendly and know each other so well. It was fun to play as if there was an abyss. Everyone gave it 125% and when ‘cut’ was called, it sparked such laughter.”