Merry plays for a special season

Theatre lovers are set for a ball with fascinating productions being staged during the Yuletide.

THOUGH there is a reduction in the number of this season’s productions because of the economic recession, and the fact that some traditional producers are not staging shows this time around, there will still be enough for theatre buffs.

The enterprising Bolanle Austin Peters of the ‘Saro’ and ‘Waka’ fame, for instance, will not be staging any show this yuletide because not only did ‘Waka’ successfully toured London’s West End some months ago, she is also building her own theatre right there at TerraKulture.

Producer of ‘Kakadu’, Uche Nwokedi (SAN), on his part has chosen to rest the famous musical ahead of its opening at the Nelson Mandela Theatre, South Africa later in June 2017 as part of the Africa Day Celebrations.

Happily, other capable and talented producers will fill the void and ensure people have an enjoyable celebration. Olushola Adenugba’s ‘Band Aid’, a musical which opened yesterday at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island is one people will find enjoyable. The play featuring Jide Kosoko, Gideon Okeke, EmmaOhMyGod and saxophonist Phebean Oluwadare amongst others continues today and till the 27th with two daily shows.

The musical  tells the story of three band mates, Femi (Patrick Diabuah), Flex (Eritosin Gregory) and Tony (Femi Leye) who though passionate about music have become jaded because of their inability to make a break-out hit. They meet and fall in love with Ivie (Goodness Emmanuel) who is also a music enthusiast. They think she can help them conquer their fears and become successful. They think she has come to save them from themselves but she takes them on as a project to fill a void in her life. What happens when demons from the past she is trying to escape from re-emerge makes for very interesting watching.

Another must see this season is Ayo Jaiyesimi’s ‘ITAN’ (Story) staged by THESPIAN Family Theatre & Productions. It is an intriguing award-winning epic play laced with cultural and contemporary dance and music. The play mirrors the impact of cross-generational conflicts prevalent in the modern- world as the battle for ‘generational’ supremacy between a village elder, Pa Latinwo and his newly found ‘city gangster’ grandson, Dee-Kay.

Both strongly rooted in their beliefs, refuse to shift their grounds. Time (personified as Asiko) catches up with them and takes them on a journey into the past and future where they discover dark secrets that had been shrouded by the veil of time.

The play which opened yesterday at Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan runs till December 26th at the same venue before moving to the National Theatre, Iganmu from January 1 to 3. It features Yinka Davies, Efe Mayford Orhorha, Lara Akinsola, Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka) and Paul Adams.

After the successful ‘Hear Word!’ which focuses on the plight of women in various African societies, Ifeoma Fafunwa of iOpenEye Productions returns this yuletide with ‘Love & Recession’. Starring Keppy Ekpeyong, Omonor and Ikponmwosa Gold, the play supported by Etisalat will run from December 29 to January 1 at the Muson Centre. It is a hilarious comedy that highlights the current economic realities and how many are pulling through by being resourceful. Aside this, the play also reiterates the need to celebrate Nigerian heritage through culture and language.

Eminent dramatist, Professor Femi Osofisan, renowned for quality, is a consultant on the project and theatre lovers are assured that it will be worth their while to see ‘Love & Recession’ and the other plays.