Embracing the Stage: The Cultural Value of Theatre

I can count the number of times I have paid to watch a stage play. Unfortunately, much like the new generation, I am mostly involved with the first screen which is mobile and removing the options of rewinding, pausing and increasing the pace of whatever I am watching is like robbing me of my sanity. So why should I embrace theatre;  the first form of drama that created the ultimate source of entertainment?

It is genuine; a pure and unadulterated art. The theatre in Nigeria for so long has been ignored and we won’t blame the cinema but the patriots who forgot the cultural value of the theatre. I was fortunate to watch the stage play ‘Little Drops’ by Professor Yerima and I found a new respect for cast and crew alike. I would be a liar to say I have felt such strong emotions and respect for actors in Nigeria.

Today we shed light on some acts that have graced the stage and have witnessed the diversity first hand. We hope we might understand why we should not just embrace one part of drama but all parts, in all of its forms. The cinema is a great place to be but the theatre is where it all started. Let your mind wander back to the magic created by Williams Shakespeare and the radical mind of Wole Soyinka as they took to stage to make their words actions and their actions reality.

Kemi Lala Akindoju

Lala is an actor and a producer. She has won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMVCA) for Best Young Actor and is creating a portfolio that speaks for itself.

Thoughts about theatre in Nigeria…

Theatre is spreading in Nigeria, I don’t want to say “theatre is back” because I don’t think it ever left – many people just never experienced it. A lot of people can attest to the fact that there were moving theatre companies and National theatre going on. Sadly, as with a lot of things in the country, the poor maintenance culture got in the way. Also the economics of it was an issue. Ttheatre is not as glamorous as film, and does not travel as fast as certain things on camera. There was a need to rebrand and now Theatre reaches people that otherwise won’t have known about it. Theatre is definitely growing. Even in other countries, it thrives on the government and philanthropy.

The difference between film and stage actors

I believe an actor should be an actor. An actor should be able to perform on all platforms, and there are different techniques for the different platforms. I don’t believe in titles because they box actors. If you can’t act for stage go and learn. Likewise, if you can’t ask for film go and learn. There is no stage and film actor. It is not a skill problem affecting why people do not work in theatre, but more of the positioning of their brand and career. For me, this was my launch pad to the camera

What do you think the public should know about theatre?

Theatre is an alternative form of entertainment. When you go to the theatre it is a total experience; you connect with people that are there, as well as the music, dance, lights, and the entire spectacle. You suspend your belief for a while. It is a breath of fresh air. With theatre there is education – you would find a lot of books you’ve read before brought to life on stage. Art is life, it pushes your mind, and it is a place to let out steam. Theatre is all of those things and more and I absolutely think that people should experience the theatre not once in their lifetime but all the time.

Ozzy Agu

In 2014, Ozzy was nicknamed the ‘New Kid on the block’. That kid has grown into a man that is sure of himself and his career. Ozzy describes himself as an all-round artist.

Thoughts about theatre in Nigeria…

Theatre is fast rising; a lot of good plays are being showcased. Theatre was always strong, but there was some sort of lag when TV and videos came around. Right now, I think there is a resurgence. For example, I am in a musical drama called Wakaa and not only was it a success in Nigeria, it is also touring and would be playing in London in July.

The difference between film and stage actors

Anywhere in the world, they require different techniques. The screen calls for different tools just like the stage. For instance, on a stage you have to be bigger, and you have to project. With film, you have microphones and have to minimise that. You have to alter your style and that calls to the versatility of an actor if you can transition easy between both platforms. Yes, there are differences but nothing that can’t be learned.

What do you think the public should know about theatre?

The value of theatre cannot be quantified. It is not a money thing because you don’t see an immediate material gain from the theatre. Instead, what you see is an understanding and a reflection on yourself as an individual and yourself as a Nigerian. What theatre does is that it tells the Nigerian story to the Nigeria and inspires us to be better Nigerians. A good number of stage plays hold a mirror to society and force us to look at the situation. Consider stage play a call to action. See some plays and it might begin to change you as a person, and your perspective of society, and this can be a tool for immediate change.

Bikiya Graham-Douglas

Bikiya Graham-Douglas is an actress, producer and singer. She is the founder of Beeta Universal Arts Foundation and won the Africa Magic Viewer Choice Award (AMVCA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama.

Thoughts about theatre in Nigeria…

I have been in the industry in Nigeria for 8 years, and I can say it has been a progression from my own personal experience. When I moved back from the UK I found it difficult to find work and so I set up my own organisation. Since that time, we have seen so many other production houses come up. We also have more opportunities for actors to perform, and for the general public to access theatre. I won’t say it is at the forefront or given as much recognition as film, but I can say there has definitely been an encouragement in what is happening in Nigerian theatre today

The difference between film and stage actors

To be honest, I do not think there is a segregation per say. I trained as an actress and most of my training was stage performance and I had most of my electives were in Film. I am doing both. Some people have a preference to be in films and the same goes for stage. It just depends on you as an actor and how you want to share your craft and what you want to pursue. For me, I am an actress that likes stage and actor who likes films.

What do you think the public should know about theatre?

Theater, my theatre! Theatre is very valuable because it brings you in very close proximity with actors who are trying to mirror a lot of things that are happening in our society today. It speaks to you in a way that no other art medium does because of how intimate stage play can feel or can be. Say you are in a performance space of over 200-1000 people, you still feel like you are a part of the story because in the theatre it is nothing but you, the actors and you connect directly with that. I think it is very important because it is a reflection of our society and it is a part of our heritage, it is a part of our culture and our history. When you go into a theatre you forget everything that is out there. It gives you an escape and I feel that is extremely important because in our society today we just carry on living and we don’t have things like theatre that takes us away. When I talk about theatre, I am very passionate because I have a lot of things to say. Musical concerts are a form of theatre. Only theatre has the ability to make a room filled with people breathe as one person, cry as one person, laugh as one person, be as one person.

From the actor and actresses who we cast our light on today, we understand the value of theatre; all the culture and history it encompasses that we shouldn’t be able to forget. To these actors theatre is a very integral part of our culture and rightly so. Consider the entertainment it brings, and the change that can emanate from such a pure art form. I have seen two sides of a story – portrayed by a film and then a stage play. The emotions that coursed through my veins as I saw Joke Silva weep on stage and Najite Dede scream about her suffering in the hands of her abductors in Little Drops was nothing short of incomparible. 

I believe that theatre is a spirit that we need to survive Nigerian living.

Creative Team

Photography: Kola Oshalusi for Insigna Media

Makeup: Jumoke Tychus for Eyesome Beauty

Styling: Henry Uduku