Richard Mofe-Damijo and different veteran theatre practitioners will reunite in Lagos on November 1 to mark 40 years since AJOFEST ’86, a pageant of 4 performs by way of past due Nigerian playwright Fred Agbeyegbe.
The reunion, themed AJOFEST ’86 – 40 Years Later: Reunion and Reflections, will start at 4pm at Queen Amina Gardens, Nationwide Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in partnership with the Nationwide Affiliation of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP). Admission is loose, and the programme can also be streamed on-line.
Held in 1986, AJOFEST featured 4 performs written by way of Agbeyegbe: The King Should Dance Bare, Woe Unto Demise, The Remaining Omen and Budiso. The productions had been staged over 4 consecutive weekends on the Nationwide Theatre, attracting massive audiences throughout Nigeria’s army technology.
The performs explored problems surrounding custom, justice, political authority and the abuse of energy. Via drama and political satire, the pageant tested social practices and the workout of authority at a time when Nigeria used to be underneath army rule.
Agbeyegbe, a legal professional, playwright, writer and cultural suggest, conceived and financed the pageant via Ajo Productions. His paintings helped display the opportunity of unbiased funding in Nigerian theatre and the power of professionally staged productions to draw really extensive audiences.
The anniversary programme will characteristic a panel dialogue moderated by way of Dr Lookman Sanusi, with Mofe-Damijo, Ayo Lijadu, Yomi Layinka and Lara Akinsola anticipated to proportion their reviews of the unique pageant.
Veteran journalist Ben Tomoloju, a former arts editor and deputy editor of The Mother or father, will ship the keynote cope with. Different individuals anticipated to replicate at the pageant’s historical past come with Professor Segun Ojewuyi, Dr Tunji Sotimirin, Godwin Onohwosa, Jahman Anikulapo and Adeniran Makinde.
The Crown Troupe of Africa will coordinate dramatic readings from the 4 performs, whilst tributes can be paid to participants of the unique manufacturing group, together with Jide Ogungbade, Pero Sosan, Sola Awojobi, Victoria Ajomeyimje and Akpor Otebele.
Organisers say the collection may also cope with the preservation of Nigerian theatre historical past, arts investment, get admission to to efficiency areas and coaching alternatives for rising practitioners.
Coordinator of the establishing committee, Dr Lillian Agbeyegbe, mentioned the anniversary would recognise the folks at the back of the pageant and keep their reviews for long run generations.
“Ajofest ’86 used to be a daring act of personal funding in Nigerian theatre, and its performs spoke reality at a vital time in our nationwide lifestyles,” she mentioned.
She mentioned the organisers was hoping to honour the pageant’s pioneers, record their firsthand accounts and cross its legacy directly to more youthful generations.
NANTAP Nationwide President Adeniran Makinde mentioned the partnership mirrored the affiliation’s dedication to recognising the principles of recent Nigerian efficiency.
The establishing committee may be inviting former solid participants, team, target audience participants and most of the people to give a contribution images, unique programmes, newspaper clippings, audio and video recordings, and private reminiscences to lend a hand construct an everlasting archive of the pageant.
The development is open to participants of the humanities group and most of the people.
Ademide Adebayo
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