It’s all about drama at LBHF 2015

This year’s outing, which focuses on drama as its central theme, does however, offer a special contribution to the artistic trail blazed with a visit from the Globe Theatre in England. “Its format was inspired by an increasing awareness of the need to bring theatre closer to the people, not merely confine it to predictable, […]

This year’s outing, which focuses on drama as its central theme, does however, offer a special contribution to the artistic trail blazed with a visit from the Globe Theatre in England.
“Its format was inspired by an increasing awareness of the need to bring theatre closer to the people, not merely confine it to predictable, albeit efficiently structured venues,” the organisers said in a statement.
“Directors were selected, then encouraged to scout for optional spaces that they find most appropriate to their choice of plays – bare spaces, night clubs, open pavilions etc. – thus weaning drama of domination by ‘congenial confinement,’” the statement added.
Freedom Park will be the hub of the festival while other events take place at the Civic Centre and Terra Kulture amongst others.
On which drama sketches and performances feature in this year’s outing, Jahman Anikulapo, Executive Programme Director of Culture Advocates Caucus, told Weekend Magazine that: “It is the prerogative of the festival consultant, Prof. Wole Soyinka, to decide on the content that would feature in each edition of the festival. But in principle, the drama pieces were chosen mostly for their relevance to contemporary issues in the society, and especially if they have educational and entertainment values.”
‘Seizing Sambisa,’ one of the drama pieces to be featured at the week- long fête, Anikulapo informed, is partly in commemoration of the anniversary of the abducted Chibok girls, “and also because of the relevance of current national discourse about security and the fact that it is a dance piece being performed by children and pupils in elementary and early secondary schools.”
Other drama sketches include Yoruba comedy ‘Gbékùdè’, ‘Tarzan Monologues,’ ‘Area Boy,’ ‘Snapshots’ and ‘The tragedy of King Christophe’ from the Jos repertory Theatre.
An art exhibition will pay homage to late Hubert Ogunde, one of Nigeria’s theatre veterans with a wide experience of the stage both abroad and in Nigeria, who is considered a source of inspiration to a whole generation of theatre artistes.
The lagoon will not be hosting electorates who go against the wish of the oba, but will be the venue of a boat regatta while the street carnival constantly re-invents itself in the capacity to dazzle and inebriate with its cocktail of extravagant costuming, music and design through the streets of Lagos. These will be highlighted by masquerades from Badagry.
Other highlights of the event include, ‘Vision of the Child,’ a children/pupils’ competition and exhibition programme; children art and art fair/bazaar; six drama and dance drama, poetry and music and meet the artiste showcase featuring legendary actor, Olu Jacobs amongst others.