Chiedu UCHE OKOYE
AFTER successful performances at the Muson Festival and the Lagos Fringe Festival 2019, Wat’s Dis All About, a Nigerian version of WOZA Albert, South African play by Mbogeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon will return to stage as one of the major plays at this year’s 14th Jos Festival of Theatre 2020.
It will open on March 9 – 14th at the premises of the Alliance Francaise, Jos, Plateau State capital.
WOZA Albert was created under the siege of apartheid and became one of the most outstanding successes in the anti-apartheid crusade.
Also, two American classics; Edward Albee’s Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and August Wilson’s Seven Guitars will feature in this year’s festival.
These plays have earned their place in the history of American Theatre. Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf? rates as one of the longest running plays on Broadway.
The festival has fast become a nurturing ground for Nigerian artistes to showcase their talents and creativity through a Nigerian and international repertory.
The 2020 festival with the theme Building Connections will feature riveting plays as well as a variety of workshops for the Arts community.
The classes in acting, dance, basic film production, and arts management will hold during the day with the theatrical performances taking place in the evenings.
The CEO of Jos Business School Mr. Ezekiel Gomos will be leading one of the workshop streams on Artistes and Managing their Finances during the festival.
The Jos Festival’s plays will present poignant messages concerning relationships, marriage, politics, revolt, and the abuse of power over the week of performances. The workshops will include facilitators from Lagos, Kaduna and Jos.
The 2020 edition will showcase the directing skills of five directors –Kalbang Afsa-Walshak, Jumoke Alice Laka-Fasakin, Seyi Lovingkindness Babalola, Sunny Adahson and Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh.
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The play Wat’s Dis All About is coming in from Lagos after performances at the MUSON Festival and the Lagos Fringe Festival 2019.
Jerry Alagbaoso returns to the festival with his latest play Let My Husband Be, a satire on households and the machinations of extra marital affairs with a generous dose of religious expectations.
Revered Prof Femi Osofisan’s early play, A Restless Run of Locusts is on the festival playlist with its study of politics, politicians and the extent they go to win elections.
Yahaya Dangana, the author of highly acclaimed, award winning The Royal Chamber is featuring in the festival with The Emir’s Secret, a story about betrayal, court secrets and abuse of power.
The festival receives ongoing support from the U.S. Mission Nigeria in addition to an array of local and international supporters such as Grand Cereals Limited, the International Performer’s Aid Trust, Jos Business School and the Czech Embassy.
The 14th Jos Festival of Theatre 2020 is marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Jos based Theatre outfit which has performed over 100 plays in its period of existence alongside other activities that have made the organization to be relevant within the Arts community. It promises to be an interesting and exciting week in Jos, Plateau State.
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