ACTOR LAUNCHES BOOK, MUSIC ALBUM IN LAGOS

Actor and playwright Lari Williams marks his 40th anniversary on stage with the launch of a book entitled “Heartlines on Drum”.

In an interview with the press recently, in Lagos, Williams explained that his “artistes family” made the celebration memorable.

“In addition his music album entitled “Jazz Fuji” was also launched during the celebrations,” the film producer, was brought to limelight by featuring in the popular soap opera – “The Village Headmaster” in the 1980s.

According to the frail looking 65-year old movie star, teaching theatre arts at both the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Lagos State University (LASU), the centre piece of both his book and music is traditional African love.

Williams claimed that though he had not gained much materially from the arts, he had no regrets and was looking forward to many more years of creative works.

“I have no regrets. I have enjoyed and I am still enjoying the entertainment industry. The joy of exploring wealth of ideas through the art, cannot be quantified,” he stressed.

Besides, “The Village Headmaster”, Williams featured in other television series including:

“For Better for Worse, “Ripples”, “Memorial Hospital”, “Jagua Nana's Daughter” and “Living for Tomorrow”.

“My participation in the entertainment industry started way back in 1959 when I started as a reporter with the now defunct 'West African Pilot” of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe — the Great Zik of Africa”, he said.

“I left the newspaper for further studies at the London School of Journalism”, he said, adding, however, that he was always featuring in stage plays as his interest in acting was inborn.”

A pioneer member of the new Nigerian film industry — Nollywood — Williams has featured in films and home videos including: “The Lion Man”, “Witch Doctor of the Living Dead” and “Cry for Freedom”.

His stage plays also include: “Isibru Ekperi”, “Awero”, “Home to Ajegunle” and “The Trophy”.

Williams is also running a school for the dramatic arts around the National Theatre in Lagos and writes for newspapers.