Come Thursday, September 29, the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) will treat theatre lovers to ‘Echoes of the Drums’, a stage play celebrating unity, love and diversity at the MUSON Centre, Onikan.
Written by Ola Awakan and directed by Mike Anyanwu, the play uses drums to highlight the importance of peace and unity as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.
Commenting on the production coming after December’s ‘Strings’ it staged at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Artistic Director of the NTN, Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, said ‘Echoes of the Drum’ is the body’s “contribution to peace, brotherliness and love within the diverse cultures and ethnicity in Nigeria.”
He added that the play would provide over 500 job opportunities by engaging youths within the theatre and the creative industry.
The National Troupe of Nigeria is the country’s apex performing body. It was established in 1991 to promote and project Nigeria’s diverse, rich cultural heritage in music, dance, drama, and other performative expressions.
For over five years until last December, the Troupe was inactive because the former Artistic Director, Tar Ukoh, refused to stage any play. Instead of the standard, quality performances the Troupe was renowned for, he reduced it to singing by the roadside in the Federal Capital Territory. Worse still, he controversially sacked all resident artists of the National Troupe and systematically gutted the body.
The Troupe made a much-anticipated return in December when it staged ‘Strings’, a folk musical drama written and directed by Mike Anyanwu at Terra Kulture.
