Richard Mofe-Damijo and different veteran theatre practitioners will reunite in Lagos on November 1 to mark 40 years since AJOFEST ’86, a competition of 4 performs by late Nigerian playwright Fred Agbeyegbe.
The reunion, themed AJOFEST ’86 – 40 Years Later: Reunion and Reflections, will start at 4pm at Queen Amina Gardens, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP). Admission is free, and the programme will even be streamed on-line.
Held in 1986, AJOFEST featured 4 performs written by Agbeyegbe: The King Must Dance Naked, Woe Unto Death, The Last Omen and Budiso. The productions have been staged over 4 consecutive weekends on the National Theatre, attracting massive audiences throughout Nigeria’s army period.
The performs explored points surrounding custom, justice, political authority and the abuse of energy. Through drama and political satire, the competition examined social practices and the train of authority at a time when Nigeria was beneath army rule.
Agbeyegbe, a lawyer, playwright, writer and cultural advocate, conceived and financed the competition by means of Ajo Productions. His work helped exhibit the potential of unbiased funding in Nigerian theatre and the power of professionally staged productions to draw substantial audiences.
The anniversary programme will characteristic a panel dialogue moderated by Dr Lookman Sanusi, with Mofe-Damijo, Ayo Lijadu, Yomi Layinka and Lara Akinsola anticipated to share their experiences of the unique competition.
Veteran journalist Ben Tomoloju, a former arts editor and deputy editor of The Guardian, will ship the keynote handle. Other members anticipated to mirror on the competition’s historical past embody 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, whereas tributes might be paid to members of the unique manufacturing staff, together with Jide Ogungbade, Pero Sosan, Sola Awojobi, Victoria Ajomeyimje and Akpor Otebele.
Organisers say the gathering will even handle the preservation of Nigerian theatre historical past, arts funding, entry to efficiency areas and coaching alternatives for rising practitioners.
Coordinator of the organising committee, Dr Lillian Agbeyegbe, stated the anniversary would recognise the folks behind the competition and protect their experiences for future generations.
“Ajofest ’86 was a bold act of private investment in Nigerian theatre, and its plays spoke truth at a critical time in our national life,” she stated.
She stated the organisers hoped to honour the competition’s pioneers, doc their firsthand accounts and cross its legacy on to youthful generations.
NANTAP National President Adeniran Makinde stated the partnership mirrored the affiliation’s dedication to recognising the foundations of recent Nigerian efficiency.
The organising committee can be inviting former solid members, crew, viewers members and most of the people to contribute images, unique programmes, newspaper clippings, audio and video recordings, and private recollections to assist construct a everlasting archive of the competition.
The occasion is open to members of the humanities neighborhood and most of the people.
Ademide Adebayo
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