SACHI NAIK | NT BUZZ
Sarzora, Chinchinim-based Frenzie Vito Rodrigues was always inclined towards singing, until he realised he also had a talent in acting. He forayed into the acting arena with Lenoy Gomendes’ tiatr, ‘Mhojem Jivit Konachea Hatant?’ where he essayed the role of the antagonist.
Music director-turned-tiatr-director Lenoy Gomendes wanted to release a film on a religious theme. Since time and finances didn’t permit him to do so, he decided to write a tiatr instead for the lent season. He approached Frenzie, but the singer was reluctant at first.
Only later did Frenzie agree when he was told that he would have to play a short role, and act in a few minor scenes. But as time and rehearsals went by, Frenzie realised that he was enjoying acting. “When the rehearsals actually began I started improving. Lenoy saw this and gave me a bigger role in his tiatr. Thus I got a role where I had to act for almost the entire tiatr.”
This tiatr has been running shows since it was first staged 2017.
Directors always keep a close eye on the actors, especially the new comers. When Frenzie’s first performance was appreciated, tiatr director Alfie de Divar was taken up with Frenzie’s singing and acting skills and thus asked him to be a part of the tiatr ‘Postman Dias’ for Kala Academy Tiatr Competition.
Alife then cast Frenzie for his next ‘Pakam’ and meanwhile the latter also sang a song for Irineu Gonsalves’ ‘Revolution’ and replaced another actor in ‘ICU Bed No.2’.
Frenzie’s first tryst with acting was when he was a child, acting in village tiatr shows, but as he grew up he didn’t show any interest in pursuing acting. “I would love to watch tiatr in my childhood. Sadly, as I was growing up I saw a lot of politics in tiatrs. The criticism was endless. I was fed up and I stopped watching tiatrs. My perception of tiatr turned negative.”
But Lenoy managed to change that, as he gained Frenzie’s trust with his religious and biblical themes, “I paid attention to tiatr once again. If Lenoy had not given me this opportunity, perhaps my acting skill would have been left unexplored.” After acting in two tiatrs, Frenzie has now kept his doors open for positive roles.
“Singing is my forte and I am not going to give it up; but if any acting opportunity in tiatrs or films comes my way, I will definitely consider them,” says Frenzie. He has recently got an opportunity to sing in trio and quartet, prior to which he only performed solo and in duets. “Owing to tiatr, I also discovered that I can sing humorous songs,” he mentions.
With tiatrs, Frenzie has now embraced his abilities and is exploring his talents. “I had initially turned down Lenoy’s offer. It was his insistence that I gave it a shot and realised how well I can act. The one thing I have learnt in tiatr is to explore and accept my capabilities,” he says.
As an amateur actor, Frenzie had a lot challenges to overcome and had to pay a lot of attention to his facial expressions, body language and actions. It was his director Alfie who helped hone his skills. “If I did anything wrong, he would show me bit by bit and that really helped. I can feel the change in my performance,” he says.
As a singer, Frenzie has performed for several musical shows in Goa like Goa Food Festival, Goencho Avaz, Goenchim Mankam Motiam. He is a part of Anthony San’s musical troupe, and a singer and dancer for Goan folk troupe Goenchim Noketram. Working for musical shows with music directors like Lenoy Gomendes and Norman Cardozo has not only added to his experience but it has provided a platform for his talent.
As a part of the folk troupe Goenchim Noketram, Frenzie had the opportunity of travelling across the globe promoting Goan folk. He has also promoted Goan culture in the states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. Besides, he has also been a part of theatrical play ‘Lokvedvanni’ by Nilesh, which was showcased in Gujarat.
Frenzie, a graduate in Marketing presently works as a client associate for a reputed investment company at Panaji. Besides, taking up more opportunities in acting, Frenzie wants to release his music album soon and contribute to the Goan folk melodies.