New Telegraph

National Theatre, Evergreen Music partner on Festival of Unity, Trillerbandz

The stage is set for this year’s edition of the National Theatre Festival of Unity, which is on the theme, ‘Enduring Optimism’. Sheduled to hold December 10 to 12, at the newly installed National Theatre Marquee, the festival will feature music, exhibition dance, drama, comedy, street carnival and more.

The Marqee will also play host to the first Nigerian music Live- Band competition, tagged ‘Triller- Brandz@Theatre’. Annoucing this recently at a joint press conference for the National Theatre Festival of Unity and the Trillerbandz@The, a collaboration between the National Theatre and Evergreen Music Company, the General Manger/ CEO of the National Theatre, Prof. Enessi Ododo, said the theme for year’s edition of the festival, which is ‘Enduring Optimism’, “is particularly apt at this period in time for us at the National Theatre, for Nigerians and indeed the entire world. We have remained optimistic and that is why we have seen opportunities where others might have seen insurmountable challenges.”

He added that this year’s National Festival of Unity is going to be bigger, bolder, and richer as they have had more time to crystalize the vision, engage more people from the entertainmenace and get much feedbacks. He noted that the National Theatre Marque is the the latest addition to the National Theatre infrastructure, adding that installation of this marquee is their latest effort at deflecting the impacts of the ongoing renovation of the National Theatre. “While the work last, we are not going to be idle; rather, we are going to be implementing our vision of thinking outside the box, reinventing the wheels by providing purposeful and objective led to the National Theatre.

“This Marquee is less than a month in operation, but I am proud to announce that the patronage it has enjoyed so far which gives credence to the thinking which birthed it. I am proud that it is hot in de-mand, and I have booking requests on my table of events planned from now till the end of the year and into the New Year. That gives me confidence that the public and our clients have bought into our vision, perspicacity and philosophy for a National Theatre steeped in activities.

“One of such activities is the Trillerbandz@ Theatre, a collaboration between the National Theatre and Evergreen Music Company. All these are going on despite the repair works and the temporary loss of access to the edifice itself. This is because to us, the National Theatre is an idea both tangible and intangible; it is the physical monument as well as the Theatre that transcends physical walls and boundaries; hence our tenacity of purpose to forge ahead despite such obstacles that might have cowed many. For us, ‘the show must go on’.

“We have kept the Theatre alive so much so that a lot of people wonder at the paradox of the National Theatre being busier now that the complex is locked for much the needed renovations than when it was in use years before now. For example, with staff training, roundtable engagements with industry stakeholders and corporate partners, the workshop on theatre technology and the National Theatre Play Reading Series which I am happy to announce is going to Nasarawa State University in the coming year – we have continued to put optimism to great use in breaking new grounds and keeping the National Theatre functional in the areas of talent hunt and development in the performing arts; the preservation, promotion and presentation of our cultural heritage in Nigeria – which is part of the core mandates of the National Theatre,” Ododo said. Also speaking, the Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Ms Bimbo Esho, said the primary objective of Trillerbandz@ Theatr is to “showcase an important aspect of our musical heritage for development into a viable cultural prod-uct.

It is to ginger our local musicians, who perform gigs at the several entertainment rendezvous that dot the national landscape to up their ante. The initiative is to boost the composition of meaningful lyrics and lively songs, quality dance styles, stage appeal as well as excellent performances to delight music patrons even beyond the shores of Nigeria.

This is in line with the theme to take this aspect of our musical heritage and entertainment to the next level as an enduring legacy for global relish. “We are flagging off with our partner, National Theatre, the first leg of the Nigerian music LiveBand competition in Lagos.

We dub this special inauguration and it is billed to happen on the luxuriant ground of the National Theatre here in Iganmu, this December to spice the Yuletide season.” She noted that the entertainment industry is one subgroup of our economy defying the recession and meltdown. “Also, several efforts are in full gear to better prepare the country for the expected influx of tourists as desired by the government at the three tiers. One memorable activity visitors can enjoy is the regular cultural music performances at the several relaxation centres and nightclubs all over Nigeria.

The importance of this heritage to our cultural development and the economy was demonstrated not too long ago when visiting French president, Emmanuel Macron, was a special guest to the African Shrine with his team to relieve his cultural music experiences as envoy in our country.

The impact and influence of the late Afro Music legend and impresario, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in live performances, fortunately, kept alive by children, was displayed for national and international appreciation. “A major stakeholder in the development of Nigerian culture and a statutory custodian, we are duty-bound to inspire the expansion and improvements of this tradition that holds a lot of promise to further grow our burgeoning music and entertainment industry as well as the economy.”

She further stated that no less than 50 live bands are expected to showcase their musical appeal to thrill pleasure and dazzle the audience and African music aficionados in a relaxed environment with unique ambience, colourful lightings, savoury culinary delights and drinks.

She also assured of an enchanting 12-hour back-to-back session of delights to the audience come Friday, December 17, to Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 6 pm, adding that the occasion shall also be graced by some of our respectful musical legends like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Bishop (Sir) Shina Peters, Mike Okri, Stella Monye, Kola Ogunkoya, Dayo Kujore and Yinka Davies, to mentor and give guidance on live band entertainment. “While we recreate the live band platform for authentic African music repertoire to boost musical tourism and Nigerian culture at the elevated social relaxation and unique entertainment rendezvous, the beauty of our heritage centre, the National Theatre is also on display for guests to explore.”

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