The National Theatre, Lagos, has announced its “May Season”, a cultural showcase aimed at blending traditional storytelling with digital innovation through theatre and animation.

Scheduled for May 30, the event will hold at the main bowl of the newly renovated National Theatre.

The showcase will feature the stage production I Wish, I Wish alongside Toontopia 2.0: Children Animation Festival.

According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to reconnect audiences with live stage drama while also introducing younger audiences to opportunities in animation and digital storytelling.

The organisers described ‘I Wish, I Wish’ as a production focused on reviving professional theatre performances at the National Theatre and restoring interest in live storytelling in Lagos.

They also said Toontopia 2.0 would serve as a platform for young digital creators, combining entertainment with technology-focused learning and highlighting the growing economic potential of Nigeria’s animation and digital content industry.

Speaking on the concept behind the season, the organisers said the programme represents “a season of revival” for the National Theatre as it seeks to attract both traditional theatre audiences and younger, digitally inclined families.

They added that the initiative aligns with efforts to reposition the National Theatre as a leading cultural destination in Africa while promoting the commercial value of Nigeria’s creative industry.

The organisers further noted that the events would spotlight the role of arts, animation and intellectual property in the country’s growing creative economy.

The May Season is also expected to provide opportunities for discussions around talent development, cultural preservation and the intersection between theatre and technology.

Organisers said interviews with management, producers, cast and creative teams would focus on issues including the future of live theatre, the rise of digital storytelling and the National Theatre’s evolving role in Nigeria’s entertainment sector.