DeObia Oparei’s journey from stage to silver screen has seen him traverse many a universe – from the outerspace remoteness of Alien III, to the ocean depths of Pirates of The Caribbean, to a post-apocalyptic Alien world for the return of Independence Day this June. London born and bred, Oparei launched into a thespian adventure with the local youth theatre in the capital’s East end. An audition aged 15 saw him taken into the bosom of one of the UK’s finest dramatic institutions – The National Youth Theatre – thence, he was taken on by The Royal Shakespeare Company, merely 20 years old. When it comes to mastering the cinema-theatre crossover, Oparei is a real expert and an unparalleled talent. He’s worked alongside the industry’s wisest and finest, taking on roles as diverse and challenging as the next. Schön! sits down with the actor and playwright to uncover some secrets of the trade.
How did your initiation to drama come about? What did it represent for you?
I was a volatile child. The only school subjects I took an active interest in were those that pricked my intellect. English, Philosophy and Languages. And those that utilised my mind and body; sports – rugby and athletics – and drama. I found a channel for all the pent up rage, anger and estrangement I felt as the product of a difficult, and oft times, brutal childhood. I learned to pour all of that anger and hurt into a world of theatre, character and the words of a playwright. It’s a cliche. But, discovering theatre was like discovering home.
Your first debut in cinema was in Alien III. Do you think starting off in a major blockbuster gave you more confidence to continue your career as an actor?
A foundation in theatre gave me my confidence and identity, as an actor, not film.Though, I was definitely thrilled to be a part of the Alien movies. And beyond excited to start working in film and to debut in such an auspicious project! Coming into work, every day, for three months, to sit in a mess hall – the film was set on a prison planet – at a table, sat besides Charles Dance and Sigourney Weaver, it never got tired.
You are an accomplished cinema actor as well as a playwright and stage actor, what would you say you are most passionate about?
I’m most passionate about writing. Not at the exclusion of acting. I feel that writing and acting are one. Much like a singer/songwriter. As a playwright and stage actor, I’ve felt more at home, in dramatic works, on a mainstream stage. Whether for London’s The West End, or in British classical theatre or The Sydney Theatre Company, in Australia, where I’ve worked extensively too. I’ve yet to tackle a great play on Broadway. A dream of mine.
Being part of the Game of Thrones production must have been amazing. How did your audition happen, and what was the atmosphere on set as a “newbie”?
I think I was late for the audition as I’d gone to the wrong casting office. By the time I turned up at the right one, all 6 foot 6, and 120kgs of me was pumping with sweat, angry faced and I probably looked like I was about to slaughter ten men. Which, I guess, worked.
Game Of Thrones was awesome. I loved the experience. I was a part of Dorne, so it was mostly new cast members. Nicolaj Coster-Waldau’s, scenes were in Dorne, at the time, so I got to work with him everyday. He was great to work with. And that’s not just standard actor speak. I had such fun with Nicolaj, the show runners and the rest of the cast. It was a wonderful opportunity.
Did you actually watch the show before you joined the cast for its fifth season? or had you read the books?
I’d read the books. And hoping for an audition!
You are also a playwright, could you tell us a few words on CrazyBlackMuthaFuckinSelf which you are both starring in and the first play you have written? What is a ‘drmedy” exactly and how has the topic of race, sexuality and identity have been viewed in the theater world?
crazyblackmuthafuckin’self was my first play. A dramedy is a play or screenplay with equal parts dramatic and comedic elements. Crazyblack… the play. takes place around a theatre troupe’s rehearsal of Othello. Where all eight characters are in search of their identity. The play looks at race, gender and sexuality. It premiered at The Royal Court Theatre, in London. And enjoyed a successful and extended run. I would like to write more plays.
What would you say the biggest difference from cinema and play acting is?
I think the difference between film acting and stage is akin to the difference between street/hip hop/break dancing for music videos and classical ballet, for the stage. One is not better than the other. Each require a discipline, virtuosity, technique and creative bravura to be remarkable and interesting. However, stage acting, like ballet, requires you to develop a good technique of breathing and a strong physique – (by that I don’t mean a six pack) as well as a mental and emotional stamina that can see you through eight shows a week, for a full season to a year or more of being on stage. Knowing how to work and develop your diaphragm, breath control and a sound technique to utilize and preserve your voice is vital in live theatre.
In film, where the current fashion is to whisper, to be almost inaudible, the mic does it all for you. Also the actor’s close proximity and relationship to the camera allows and demands a film actor be smaller of gesture, minimally – relative to theatre – expressive. Nuance and subtleties not able to be picked up in a large theatre rein in cinema. Though I think a solid foundation in theatre lends an actor a strong base to grow good technique for film whereas, I’ve witnessed the reverse to be less likely.
Now, you are next to be seen as a lead character in the upcoming FOX feature, Independence Day: Resurgence by Roland Emmerich. Could you tell us a few words about the movie itself and how you got the role?
A small group of qlien survivors from 1996 wage a decade-long war against Africa’s Democratic Republic Of D’Umbutu. Despite repeated offers from world leaders, the country’s warlords refuse aid in eradicating the Alien presence, which led to a hard-won ground war. At the heart of the action here is the country’s new leader Dikembe Umbutu, an imposing warrior of quiet intensity. Dikembe calls on David Levinson, Jeff Goldblum and Charlotte Gainsbourg – who plays Dr. Catherine Marceaux – to help hunt down the aliens and free his people.
I’d initially auditioned for the role and was called back to meet with Roland and producer, Harald Kloser. It was an intense audition. Where both Roland and Harald made on the spot accent and character changes to Dikembe. I’d learnt the part in an African accent and so had taken the character in a certain direction. That was completely turned around in the audition. And I loved the in-the-moment creative energy of it all. I guess as a one time theatre actor I revel in that ‘in-the-moment’ thing. And the direction they were steering the character in was more internal, wounded, vulnerable, all juicy stuff. I guess I was able to roll with it. From that call back audition, I was really excited to want to be in this movie and work with Roland.
And what about your character, Dikembe Umbutu?
Dikembe, is an Oxford educated, African warlord who returns to his homeland to free his people, fight the aliens and avenge the murder of his twin brother.
This is a purely science fiction movie, and a sequel to 1996’s Independence Day. How is it filming in science fiction?
Working with green screen has never been an event for me. Though, working in a big blockbuster, never gets tired. It’s initially exciting and the buzz remains. Yet, after a while I forget all of that and just focus on what’s happening with the character I’m playing and what is the action between the characters in the scene. I love starring in block buster sci-fi movies. And I love to work in dramatic movies as well.
The cast is very exciting, starring along with Liam Hamsworth, Maika Monroe, Joey King, William Fichtner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Angelebaby and Sela Ward. How does a stellar cast influence the working process?
When an excellent cast is in synergy it makes coming into work a delight. However, there isn’t a formula with the creative beast. No one knows what that chemical is that creates great movies or plays. It can be ease it can be adversity. It’s often created out of chaos and not order. Though I think at the core of it all is a cast of actors, creators, artists who dare to be fear-less.
What projects do you have for the near future?
More drama, more comedy, more sci fi, more great story telling…and of course, a great Broadway play. I want it all. Why not?
Independence Day: Resurgence is released in UK cinemas 22nd June.
Words / Aurore Groult
Photography / Karl Axon
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