COVID dims stage lights at Yuletide

THOUGH the country is currently in the grip of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the beat will not stop for stage productions this Yuletide.

While the COVID protocols to be observed after obtaining due regulatory approval would impact the bottom line of producers because of the reduced number of people, theatre lovers would still have some productions to savour, albeit on a low scale.

Bolanle Austen-Peters Production,  which marks every festive season with production, will stage ‘The Olurounbi Musical’ this time. The show which opened at TerraKulture, Victoria Island on the 26th will run till the 29th.  It parades the cream of theatre including Bimbo Manuel, Mayuwon Ogun, Ropo Ewenla and several others.

Joseph Edgar’s Duke of Shomolu Productions ‘Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’ was at The Finery, Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on December 25 to 26.  It featured Patrick Diabuah, Kelvin Mary Ndukwe, Kemi Bickersteth and Chantal Edgar.

Ayo Jaiyesinmi’s Thespian Family Theatre & Productions had announced that it would stage Ola Rotimi’s ‘The Gods are not to Blame’ at The KONA Hub, Lekki, from December 25 to 27 before it pulled the plug on the play.

“Hello & Merry Christmas! A huge shout out to all our audiences. Whilst we have approvals for our venue and event, and some sold-out dates for our shows, we feel that as a community-based organisation, triggering social and behavioural change, it is awkward to call people out to watch our beautifully curated live show amidst the current growing concerns for the COVID  pandemic. The show goes on, but at a date deemed relatively safe for our audiences and families. Stay Safe. Enjoy Christmas & Be Alive for an awesome 2021. We’ll let you know of new dates and our calendar of Programmes! Love you loads…” it offered by way of explanation on its Facebook page.

Unlike previous years when almost every production outfit would stage a play, the pandemic, particularly its resurgence, has upturned all plans. While it will not be a completely dry Yuletide, theatre lovers would have wished to have an abundance of plays to chose from like they had always done.

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