Theatre, stage performance or stage play is a reflection of daily existence that stimulates instant emotions.

A Nollywood veteran actress Joke Silva noted recently that theatre plays an ambassadorial and intellectual role in the society either as entertainment or culture.

According to her, theatre encourages more understanding and interaction between the actor and the audience unlike the screen movies.

She said that the Nigerian theatre required reinvigoration for efficient performance that could enhance the nation’s economy and image.

Silva, therefore, appealed to governments at all levels to put in place policies that would rejuvenate stage and theatre shows.

“Our government must put up policies that would make theatres accessible to the art lovers and the people generally,’’ she said.

In his opinion, Jerry Adesewo, the FCT Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), said that stage performance had suffered neglect in recent time.

He observed that lack of funding for theatres had made operation of the industry difficult, resulting in the decline in the number of theatres across the country.

“The National Theatre which has been the country’s most significant theatre, of course, cannot serve the entire country and neither can the Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja do.

“For theatrical performances in the country to develop to compete favourably with their international counterparts, other means must be provided.

“There must be heavy investment in theatre venues and artistes should be encouraged to remain within and practice the profession,’’ he said.

He, however, said that the association had engaged in series of sensitisation programmes that would improve the industry’s policy and theatre and cultural reforms to reposition the industry.

Sharing similar sentiments, Patrick Otoro, a Nollywood actor and stage performer, explained that quality theatrical performances would rekindle the interest in theatre among Nigerians.

He expressed concern about the dilapidated nature of the existing theatres across the country, observing that some of them had been turned to commercial ventures.

Calling on the appropriate authority to address some of the challenges in the industry, Mr Isaiah Ilo, a senior lecturer at the University of Abuja, solicited adequate funding from government and donors to promote stage plays and theatre performances.

“For stage play to be revived, theatre which produced it should get the revival first,’’ he insisted.

He called for more security beef-up at performance venues to give people the confidence of going to watch stage plays without fear.

“There should be presentable theatre infrastructure built in schools, local government areas and cities to encourage the public to directly or indirectly participate in stage play”, Ilo advised.

Kayode Aiyegbusi, the Chief Executive Officer of BlackBones, a theatre group, said that lack of funding and insecurity were some of the challenges facing the development of private theatre in Nigeria.

“It requires a place to rehearse, a place to house artistes, purchase of equipment and costumes, among others”.

Aiyegbusi pleaded with government at all levels to assist operators of private theatres with loans and other logistics in enable them to compete with their foreign counterparts.

“The British Council, the German Embassy, the Chinese and French institutes consistently exhibit theatrical performances sponsored by their government. Nigerian government should borrow a leaf from them”, he advised.

In his view, Mike Ekunno, a member of NANTAP, said that theatre practitioners had a lot of work to do to revive, develop and sustain the industry across the country.

He urged actors and actresses to participate actively in the movie industry as a way of marrying both theatre performance and movies.

He said that they could use the opportunity of their roles in Nollywood movies to popularise the theatre plays, soliciting support and funding for the theatre and theatrical performances.

In his opinion, Chukwuemeka Okereafor, the Chairman of NANTAP, said actors and actresses should place more emphasis on dance drama.

“Dance drama should be inculcated in school curriculums to explore the creative minds and talents of students.

“Most people shy away from dance drama because it is more difficult than drama. Dance requires a maximum intensity of professionalism, both in teaching and delivering.

“I believe that people are not interested in it as they ought to be due to the introduction of many dance studios in the society.

“However, the introduction of aerobic exercises for fitness purposes has inspired most people to engage in dance drama in some ways,’’ he said.

He advised government and educational bodies to encourage the teaching of dance drama in schools curriculum just like any subjects.

All in all, theatre professionals insist that given the required funds and logistics, the theatre industry in Nigeria can improve revenue generation and boost the country’s image.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria.