Theatre Sat
Nigerian Theatre Directors:Oteh,Iguanre and Elufowoju
"We are trying to create an unforgettable world theatre by utilizing the theatre to confront and challenge crucial issues which affect our society with the ultimate aim of educating and entertaining audiences."so informs Jude Patrick Oteh Artistic Director and founder of the Jos Repertory Theatre(JRT)founded in 1997 the same year as the British Nigerian Theatre outfit,Tiata Fahodzi founded by Femi Elufowoju same age group as Oteh
Jude Patrick Oteh,born in the early 60s was something of a "Nuisance" on the basketBall court at Loyola College Ibadan,Nigeria.Then during Fesatc 77, perhaps had his mind on making the School Basketball team but he ended up being the School infirmarian and President of the Schools Drama society.He was from the very beginning a conscientiuos student and perhaps selfish with his study time.up to his final year,Jude Oteh always had something to add to the discussion in the Literatture class where he read Shakespears Macbeth,Kaundas Zambia shall be free and Eliots, Silas Marner.
In form one Jude Oteh had as his house work the sweeping of the infirmry.,Sweeping from the side of the infirmry to the back of the main building of the School was Paul Okolo.Paul okolo,to become a class jester ,swept in an artistic manner.you could see the marks of curves as he made with his broom on the ground and the Seniors pointed to it as an example of what had been done with the Broom. Paul okolo is the Kid brother to Felix Okolo who performed together on stage with Jude oteh at the University of Ibadan and went on to star on National television in Acada campus by Bode Sowande and in wole Soyinka Blues for a prodigal.Felix is now a Theatre director shuttling between Europe and nigeria.Paul has another brother Actor, Philip.Jude Oteh also a Martial Artist and Restauranteur,also went on to perform together at the Arts Theatre University of Ibadan with Ajayi Olatide,Head Dancer FESTAC 77.
Jude Otheh sat for his final exams in 1981 as a Science student but he did not make his papers and there he was to conclude that if he could not make "it" at a school like Loyola College then he could not make it any where and so he crossed over to the Arts to take a diploma in Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan.Ever Since he has not looked back.He bagged a second class upper degree in Thetre Arts and topped it with a masters Degree in theatre arts and another in Diplomacy and international relations.and yet another in post colonial studies.
Femi Elufowoju who acted as the Ogre in Jack and the Bean stalk way back in Junior school in the United Kingdom, originally wanted to become a solicitor.was admitted to a Faculty of Law,precisely Universty of Ife,then the best place to study Law in Nigeria.As an undergradute he was a fan of Michael Jackson and all his Theatrics,he ended up studying Theatre at the Bretton Hall,leeds University which incidentally had Wole soynka after an uncompleted programme at the University of Ibadan.Elufowoju worked for six years as an Actor , like Wole Sotinka ,made radio plays for the BBC and trained as a regional theatre young director.
,Solomon Iguanre with a Masters degree in theatre arts from the university of Ibadan is a product of Osogbo Grammar School where he was influenced by his Ghanaian Literature teacher Mr . Frepong. Of course Solomon Iguanre is very fund of PANAFEST in Ghanawhich he has attended. And Osogbo is a very significant Cultural space in Nigeria..Of this generation of Theatre directors, Solomon Iguanre is the most versatile but with the least international exposure. Solomon Iguanre is aa Playwright, Book editor,graphic Artist,HIV/AIDS Educator,audio/visual technician, poet,publisher,curator,cartoonist,administrator, Theatre entrepreneur,short story writer ,a computer geek and Academic.Over 20 years back ,he co founded Laffomania oragisation to be described as the funniest Theatre out fit in South west nigeria as compared with Jos repertory Theatre ,the most Vibrant Theatre outfit in Northern Nigeria and TIATA FAHODZI the most vibrant British African theatre outfit in Britain.
We have had other committed directors like Yemi Akintokun,Saidat Odofin later,Saidat Garuba, Gregory Odutayo all from the University of Ibadan which was then the best place in Sub saharan .Africa to study Theatre.
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