Stage drama, or theatre as it is often called, laid the foundation for the cinema and movie streaming platforms that dominate Africa today.
Nigeria, a nation deeply rooted in culture and tradition, has never been left behind in delivering educational, informative, and entertaining stage productions. This legacy can be traced back to pioneer icons such as Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, Lere Paimo, and Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala), whose artistry paved the way for what we now celebrate as Nollywood. While other parts of the world boast their own versions of “woods,” these legends built the stepping stones that led us here.
The essence of compelling storytelling has always been at the heart of drama, with actors showcasing their versatility in bringing a writer’s vision to life. Whether on stage or screen, a performer’s ability to embody multiple roles with depth and authenticity remains the soul of audience engagement.
However, while modernization and digitalization have enhanced storytelling techniques, they have also eroded certain core aspects of theatrical artistry. Unlike film, where multiple takes, edits, and effects can perfect a scene, stage drama demands raw talent; no retakes, no unnecessary cuts, no hiding behind special effects. Unfortunately, this craft has gradually faded, though some regions, such as Japan, China, and parts of Europe, still preserve and cherish it.
In Nigeria, theatre arts programs in universities still train students in the art of stage performance, but post-graduation, these skills rarely find a thriving space in mainstream entertainment. The emphasis has shifted to digital storytelling, where actors are celebrated for their work in film and streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, Showmax, Apple TV+, Hulu, and HBO Max.
Yet, theatre is far from dead. Some still relish the charm of curtain drops, live transitions, and the raw, unfiltered energy of stage drama. Nigeria, though not entirely lagging, needs platforms where our celebrated actors, who have mastered digital drama (or should we call it Digiwood?), can also showcase their artistic prowess in its purest form. The demand is there; the stories still need telling.
It was, therefore, refreshing to see 2024 AMVCA Best Actor, Wale Ojo and Best Actress, Kehinde Bankole take center stage at the Utopia Theatre in the UK, breathing life into one of the most revered literary works of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka—Death and the King’s Horseman (Elesin Oba). A masterpiece that explores the depth of Yoruba culture and tradition, the play’s recent stage adaptation was nothing short of brilliant.
Watching their interviews on YouTube, I was captivated by the level of effort invested in the production; intensive rehearsals, impeccable delivery, and a performance worth every second of applause. It took me back to the stories I heard as a child and as an undergraduate about the golden era of stage drama and how it birthed what we now celebrate today.
Wale Ojo and Kehinde Bankole remain two of my favorite actors, not just for their charisma but for their ability to bring any script to life with sheer brilliance. Their performance in Elesin Oba was a testament to the fact that stage drama is not obsolete; it just needs a renaissance.
We can revive this legacy. Our younger generation must know that before Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, Showmax, Apple TV+, Hulu, and the rest, there was theatre, the foundation of all we now enjoy. While we bask in digital advancement, let’s not forget the power of the stage. After all, even in the age of screens, the curtain still calls.
Oluwatowoju Fapohunda is a broadcast journalist and a videographer.
Photos: Instagram @_KehindeBankole kehinde Bankole
