The National Theatre, Lagos, came alive on Saturday, April 4, 2025, as theatre lovers gathered at the Queen Amina Garden for Dis_loyal Judas, a stage production written and directed by Segun Adefila.

The performance, which blended drama, dance, dialogues, and live expression, marked the beginning of a new programming season at the cultural hub.

The play, performed by Adefila’s Crown Troupe of Africa, drew an engaged audience and delivered a reinterpretation of the biblical story of Judas, exploring themes of betrayal, destiny and human nature.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager of the National Theatre, Mrs Adetola Akerele, described the production as part of a broader plan to revitalise programming at the venue.

“This is something we’ve been planning since the beginning of the year,” she said. “Crown Troupe Africa are very strong partners in the National Theatre, even before I came. I’m happy we could elevate what we’re doing here. This is the beginning of our season.”

Akerele added that the theatre would host a series of events in the coming months, including a drumming circle, children’s programming and an animation festival. She also announced an upcoming musical production, I Wish, I Wish, which will be staged in the main bowl of the complex.

She called on audiences to support the performing arts industry by attending shows and purchasing tickets, noting that many practitioners depend on such platforms for their livelihoods.

Also speaking, Adeniran Makinde of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners praised both the production and the renewed activity at the theatre.

“It’s a lovely play,” he said. “This is the third time I’m seeing Dis_loyal Judas, and it has improved each time. The strength of what the National Theatre is doing now is fantastic. It goes a long way in showing progress.”

For Adefila, the play is more than a retelling of a familiar story. He explained that his inspiration came from the story of Jesus Christ and the need to examine its deeper meanings through art.

“We need to tell stories like this,” he said. “It is a story about sacrifice, about love beyond comprehension, and about understanding human nature. When you call someone Judas, it carries a negative meaning, but here we see him as human, and we begin to ask questions about destiny.”

He added that the production does not seek to glorify betrayal but rather to explore the complexity of human actions and moral choices. According to him, theatre provides a space to ask difficult questions and present alternative perspectives.

Adefila also highlighted the importance of the National Theatre as a home for artists, noting that consistent support from management can help revive its cultural significance. He commended the current leadership for creating opportunities for performances despite existing challenges.