Deepening Lagos theatre space with Fringe Festival — Guardian Arts — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

For two weeks in November 2024, the city of Lagos hosted an explosion of creative energy from around the country and the globe. Artists and performers took to stages all over the city, presenting shows for every taste. Existing theatres and concert halls were repurposed for the theatrical feast.

From big names in the entertainment industry to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festivals spanned every genre of live performance, including theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events.

Very remarkable were the 25 stage plays, including three international showpieces that headlined the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) 2024.
The festival ran across four iconic venues in the sprawling Lagos metropolis. The festival was designed to celebrate culture, creativity and community, promising an immersive journey through the vibrant world of theatre, live performances, workshops, and more.

With 25 plays lined up across the four venues at the Terra Kulture Arena, MUSON Centre, University of Lagos and Glover Hall, festival goers will also savour three international shows from the United States of America, South Africa and Zambia.

At a ceremony to formally announce the festival on Tuesday, November 5, at the Lagos House in Marina, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state was pleased and committed to partner with the Terra Kulture team to give Lagosians a beautiful experience throughout the four days of the festival.

“Our hope is to use this brilliant initiative to support theatre practitioners and to encourage listing art activities ahead so that visitors to our state can have an idea of what each month offers for them.”

The founder of LITF and celebrated film and theatre producer, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, also said the festival would be a yearly fanfare to celebrate talents, showcase authentic African stories and provide platforms for quality engagements. She added that the maiden edition of LITF coincides with the 20th anniversary of the founding of Terra Kulture Group by her.

The Lagos Fringe Festival is a grassroots event that emerged from the now rested Lagos Theatre Festival. This year’s festival offered a range of special programmes that focus on professional growth, collaboration, and mentorship for creatives of all backgrounds.

The programmes included, #GiveMeTha’MoneySeries — Workshops on monetising creative content, including grant writing, elevator pitching, and contract negotiation; Women in the Arts Initiative — Equipping female creatives through workshops and grant-funded productions, including the Equitable Gender Storytelling Workshop; Young Critics & Reviewers Programme — Cultivating new art critics through peer mentorship and strategies to monetise review content; AI Tools Workshop — An interactive exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming creative workflows.

A highlight of Lagos Fringe 2024 was the Festival Gathering, a hybrid programme with the British Council, designed to equip African arts leaders with festival management skills focusing on sustainability, funding and programming.

Launched virtually in September 2024, this residency welcomed over 50 festival managers from Africa and Europe, including participants from Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and the UK.

One of the plays that shaped the festival was A Palm Tree in London, which was performed on November 23 and 24 at 5:00pm and 4:00pm, respectively, at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island. Palm Tree in London is a poignant two-character play that explores the cultural dichotomy between the white and black races, infused with subtle comedy to lighten the narrative. This story delves deeply into the complexities and tensions that arise from these cultural intersections, shedding light on the rich, diverse heritage that each group brings to the table. By highlighting the importance of unity in diversity, the play underscores the potential for harmonious coexistence and mutual enrichment when different cultures come together.

The play centres on two characters who embody the respective cultural backgrounds and experiences of the white and black communities. Through their interactions, the narrative reveals the personal and societal struggles each character faces.

Their dialogues and conflicts provide a thorough chronicle of the tensions and misunderstandings that have historically plagued societies, revealing how deeply rooted prejudices and historical injustices can impede progress toward true unity. The subtle comedy interwoven throughout their exchanges adds a layer of relatability and warmth, making the heavy themes more accessible and engaging.

Throughout the play, there is a persistent effort to advocate for equity and justice. The palm tree, a symbol of resilience and growth, embodies the hope for a future where cultural differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. Yet, this vision of equity is constantly tested by various challenges, both external and internal. These obstacles serve as a reminder of the arduous journey toward achieving a truly inclusive society.

Instinct Pictures and Emmanuel Okocha are committed to bringing this powerful production to new audiences around the world. Speaking with The Guardian, the Executive Producer of the play, Emmanuel Okocha, said the play has captivated audiences with its exploration of cultural identity, race, and the complexities of human connection.

“A Palm Tree in London is a deeply introspective play that explores the intersections of cultural identity and human connection. At its core, it examines how two individuals — one African, one from the West — navigate the complexities of race, perception, and self-awareness in a shared space,” he said.

“The title itself, A Palm Tree in London, is a metaphor for resilience, rootedness, and adaptability. Through humour and more serious moments, we invite the audience to reflect on the challenges of reconciling different identities and the role that empathy and understanding play in bridging cultural divides.”

According to him, “A Palm Tree in London The collaboration with Chris Iheuwa was incredibly enriching. From the start, I knew his perspective and writing style would bring the kind of depth and authenticity we were looking for. Chris and I had many discussions about the themes, the characters, and the overall message of the play. As he brought his ideas to life, we worked closely together to ensure the play would have a genuine emotional resonance with the audience. His commitment to the story has been invaluable, and his ability to capture the subtleties of cultural tension while still incorporating humor is one of the reasons the play works so well.”

On his experience working with your director and actors, especially Kelvinmary Ndukwe, who also starred in the play, he said: “Working with Kelvinmary Ndukwe has been a great experience. As the director, he brought a vision that elevated the entire production. What made it even more dynamic was his role as an actor in the play. Having him on both sides of the production allowed him to infuse his directorial decisions with a personal understanding of the performance. The balance between direction and performance is not always easy, but Kelvinmary handled both seamlessly. His approach to the ending, which introduces an unexpected twist, adds a layer of emotional complexity that truly resonates with audiences.”

He added: “Martins Chukwu’s contribution too was equally important. His performance brought an authenticity and energy that made the characters feel real and relatable. The dynamic between him and Kelvinmary, both in terms of their acting and as co-creators, brought a unique chemistry to the play. The combination of their performances helped to ground the story in a way that feels both intimate and universal. Martins brought depth to his character, and his interactions with Kelvinmary on stage made for some truly memorable moments.”

He continued, “the main challenge we faced was ensuring the play’s themes—such as racial identity and the tension between cultures—were handled with the sensitivity and depth they deserve, while still keeping the audience engaged. We wanted to create a piece that was both thought-provoking and accessible. But the real reward came from seeing the characters develop, the story unfold, and watching the audience engage with it in such a meaningful way. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but the team worked tirelessly to get it right.”

From the Lagos Fringe, “we’re heading to the Brighton Fringe from May 23 to 26, 2025, followed by the Wandsworth Fringe. We’re also looking at several international festivals and performances to expand its reach even further. Having had the privilege of showcasing the play at the Lagos Fringe, we now want to take it to more audiences, bringing the themes of cultural identity and human connection to different parts of the world. The success of the play so far has been truly encouraging, and we look forward to seeing where it takes us next.”

He said the Lagos Fringe has been a crucial stepping stone for Instinct Pictures and A Palm Tree in London. “It gave us the platform to showcase our work not just to Nigerian audiences, but also to an international community. The exposure has been invaluable, and the festival has helped us gain recognition, both locally and globally. The play is a direct result of the kind of opportunities the Lagos Fringe offers to emerging artists and productions. It’s an essential event in the Nigerian theater scene, one that has allowed us to grow, make connections, and bring our work to a larger audience.”

Okocha addd, “I’m excited about the opportunity to connect with the audience at the Lagos Fringe. It’s one of the few festivals where we can showcase Nigerian theater in such a vibrant and diverse environment. I’m also excited for the audience to experience the play’s deep themes—cultural identity, race, and the personal journey of self-awareness. I hope the play sparks introspection and meaningful conversations, and that it connects with people from different backgrounds and walks of life.

“It is more than just a play; it’s a conversation about identity, race, and the need for understanding in an increasingly globalized world. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and the team that brought it to life—Chris, Kelvinmary, Martins, and the entire production crew. The support from the Lagos Fringe has been instrumental in bringing this vision to the stage, and we’re excited for what’s next. As we head into 2025, we look forward to sharing A Palm Tree in London with audiences far and wide, and continuing the journey of this important story.”

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