LUCIA Mthiyane, teacher- turned-actress-and-singer, says she gave the performance of her life to get her new role in Muvhango.

"People will probably be surprised that we still audition for these parts though one has been acting for a long time. I delivered spectacularly at the auditions, giving the performance of my life to get this role.

"So far everything is going very well. I have been treated with respect by fellow actors, the crew and the producers. I am not acting with strangers, since we all know each other. It has been easy to settle in at Muvhango," she said.

Mthiyane, who first made her mark in the long-running musical, Girl Talk, produced by Richard Loring, added that she rates acting and singing equally highly.

"I have been looking out for a role that suits me, but unfortunately some of them were not that attractive.

"Even in musicals, I do not just take any role," said the award-winning actress.

If she is not busy acting Mthiyane gives cooking lessons. She is an accomplished chef whose culinary skills have a good reputation in celebrity circles.

"From May 4 to 6, I am launching a food festival. Flavours of the City Food festival will be inaugurated in Port Elizabeth, comprising wine tasting, beer and food. Then it will move to other cities," she said.

From Tuesday April 3, you can see Mthiyane playing the role of Selinah Mdluli in Muvhango. The role was previously played by Jo-Anne Reyneke.