-celebrates World Theatre Day with drama feast
To commemorate the 40th death anniversary of the legendary thespian, Chief Duro Ladipo, the Lagos State Government is supporting the production of a stage play, Ajagun Nla, at the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The command performance of the play, which was written, more than 50 years ago by the late thespian as a pan-Yoruba narrative, comes up on Thursday, March 15 with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as the Special Guest of Honour.
In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the support being given to the Duro Ladipo family is in fulfillment of the state government’s commitment to the promotion of arts and culture as veritable vehicle of tourism promotion.
Directed by Prof. Ojo Rasaki Bakare, Ajagun Nla is a strong story of communal courage and strong ethnic identity that is beautifully propelled by dance choreography.
Similarly, the state government is also committed to celebrating the World Theatre Day on Tuesday, March 27 with stage plays being produced in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and collective artistes from the traditional Yoruba Theatre groups.
According to the Commissioner, while NANTAP is collaborating with the National Theatre of Ghana in staging the popular “Marriage of Anansewa” across three venues including, Freedom Park, University of Lagos and MUSON Centre, with the support of Lagos State, the collective artistes featuring Adebayo salami, Jide Kosoko and Yinka Quadri among several other popular names will be staging “Erinlakatabu … the indisputable,” a tragy-comedy dance drama at the Terra Kulture Arena in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ayorinde said the state government’s involvement “is in tandem with the Calendar of Arts and Culture events for 2018 which was released last month to give the media, tour operators, visitors and the general public the opportunity to know the events that are listed throughout the year for easy planning”