Sports
AN actor, Babatunde Ojobaro, has described stage plays as long-lost treasures that are crucial to preservation of culture and teaching of history.
Ojobaro, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday, said that stage plays had the capacity to resonate with the present and also predict the future.
“The treasure called theatre is now found and practitioners are working hard to give it the recognition it truly deserves.
“My Theatre Hub Africa has been using theatre to tell our own original stories and creating atmosphere that help us to embrace and appreciate our identities as Africans.
“This can also make us to love our culture and tradition more through original stories and breathtaking theatre productions,” he said.
According to him, stage plays tell epic and contemporary stories that not only teach culture and history but also address social issues, thereby using theatre as a tool for development.
“I believe very strongly that stage plays, while not yet getting the full accolades they deserve, provide more original and genuine entertainment than all other genres of theatre, and this must be deliberately preached everywhere.
“Stage plays should be given more opportunity to thrive, as they will help in expanding the frontiers of theatre, using storytelling to educate, entertain and inform,” he said.
Ojobaro said further stated that constant production of stage plays would help in the reviving process.
“This gives potential audience the opportunity to witness one, and if it’s good, it most likely will keep them coming for more or looking out for more.
“Producers should not just produce plays but produce good quality ones,” he said.
Ojobaro noted that non-availability of theatre halls had forced stage plays to be produced in events halls.
“We have to convert events halls for theatre usage, which gives more stress and more expenses.
“The National Theatre has been under renovation for a while now and closed for public performances.
“Other places like the Freedom Park in Lagos have also been aiding some performances, but just one space can’t be enough.
“It’s also sad that the Centre for Arts and Culture, popularly known as Cultural Centre in Lagos and Oyo states have become ghosts of their former selves,” he said.
Ojobaro called for rehabilitation of cultural centres as part of efforts to resuscitate stage plays in the country for the promotion of culture and traditions. (NAN)
17th MAY, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Babatunde Ojobaro
