Veteran Ghanaian actor Fred Nii Amugi has issued a passionate call for all screen actors to embrace the discipline of theatre, arguing that true mastery of the craft is rooted in the stage.
Speaking with host Eddie Ray on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Mid-morning Drive, the seasoned performer suggested that for an actor to experience “real acting”, they must first endure the rigours of live performance.
Fred Nii Amugi emphasised that the stage environment is essential for shaping an actor’s capabilities, as it sharpens their vocabulary, demands constant alertness, and ultimately transforms their screen presence.
Reflecting on his vision for the industry, Amugi shared a desire for his colleagues to carry the prestige of theatrical training into their film careers.
He remarked, “How I wish every actor would taste the stage, and then, when acting, they could boldly or proudly declare that they were once on stage.”
He further pointed to the success of the Nigerian film industry as a testament to this path, noting that a vast majority of their performers are theatre-hardened.
“Many of the Nigerian actors you see, about 80 per cent of them, passed through the stage, and that is why they perform so well on screen,” he observed, suggesting that those who avoid the medium often do so because of its immense difficulty.
Beyond the physical stage, Fred Nii Amugi also expressed deep concern regarding the decline of radio theatre, which he views as a significant loss for the arts.
He lamented the collapse of this sector, describing it as a particularly challenging yet vital medium.
The actor highlighted the unique value of radio drama, noting that because actors must breathe life into their lines through voice alone, it provides a crucial imaginative bridge for the visually impaired, allowing them to “picture” the narrative in ways that screen performances cannot offer.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
