I’m committed to reviving theatre culture in Nigeria –Ojobaro

Wed, Mar 31, 2021
By editor
3 MIN READ

Entertainment

A theatre practitioner, Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly known as Mr Rain, on Wednesday, expressed his commitment to the revival and repositioning of theatre culture in Nigeria.

Ojobaro, who is the founder of Theatre Hub Africa (THA), gave the commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

“When I was graduating from the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Ibadan, there was really nothing to look forward to in terms of theatre practice.

“Unfortunately, the present situation in the country doesn’t guarantee that you’ll practice what you’ve learnt.

“I decided that I wanted to create a platform that can give hope and assurance that after graduating in theatre arts, there’s somewhere you can shock your head,” he said.

Ojobaro added that in 2013, he predicted that in the next five years, the theatre would begin to have huge market share in the entertainment industry, adding that there were only five theatre production companies in Lagos then.

“Now, there are more than 40 theatre production companies in Lagos and they are functioning effectively.

“I know that people will pay a premium to see something different, as there are always comedy concerts and musical shows at such places.

“When people begin to see the consistency in theatre, it will eventually gain ground and pull crowd,” he said.

The THA founder said he was particularly happy seeing some theatre production companies now doing stage plays, adding: “this is something I have always desired.

“I have been working for a while on an area which I call “Theatre as a Tool for Development”.

“This is to show that theatre is not just an entertainment genre, it could also be used for development and to promote our culture, especially the Yoruba culture.

“We must know that our culture is our inheritance. So matter how Westernised or civilized we may appear to be, culture plays a vital role in the sustainability of our communities,” he said.

Ojobaro disclosed that “Oluronbi”, popular folklore that used to be rendered by elderly persons in the olden days, was being revamped by him for the younger generation.

“Oluronbi was a myth, with different story versions. I was fortunate to be one of those children who used to visit our grandparents during holidays and they would be telling us different stories.

“I have come with my own version of Olurounbi and decided to make it more interesting.

“My Oluronbi is spectacular because I came up with one that all generations can enjoy.

“It is a fine blend of the 21st century and the older generation. We infused dances, tradition and culture into it,” he said.

He said that there would be a South-West Tour for Oluronbi production, adding that it would seek to re-enact the rich Yoruba culture and establishment the fact that entertainment could be used as an effective tool for development.

“The tour will commence in Oyo State on May 2, because it is the cradle of entertainment in the South-West zone,” he said. (NAN)

– Mar. 31, 2021 @ 16:56 GMT

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