In his welcome address, Jahman Anikulapo, programme chair of CORA, acknowledged the presence of the veteran actress, who needed no introduction as she exuded a regal aura where she sat. He spoke of how much she had contributed to the lives of many, adding that the dramatist Wole Oguntokun was the chosen moderator of the Forum because of his immense contribution to stage acting. Ajai-Lycett was going to be in conversation with fellow actresses, Tina Mba and Kate Henshaw-Nuttal; and the fact that Oguntokun had worked with all three was a plus, according to Anikulapo.

The guests

Taking over as moderator, Oguntokun introduced guests, including, Francesca Emanuel and Bayo Oduneye, both pioneering performers who had been involved in acting from as early as the fifties and sixties. Other notables in the gathering included: Joke Silva, Dejumo Lewis, Greg Odutayo (President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP), Tunde Kelani, Pamela Udoka and Teju Kareem.

Oguntokun also introduced and ushered in Henshaw-Nuttall and Tina Mba to their seats beside the celebrant, for a conversation between two generations of Nigerian female thespians.

Book reading

The event also featured a book reading session by Toyin Akinosho of CORA. His chosen text were Kaine Agary’s novel, ‘Yellow Yellow’; and a short story by Melissa Myambo, ‘Deciduous Gazettes’, from ‘Opening Spaces’, an anthology compiled by the Yvonne Vera.

Akinosho said the reading was a fitting tribute to Ajai-Lycett because he knew how much she loved books. He recalled her words from an interview, “When you send me books, I know you love me.” He then presented the celebrant. Oguntokun noted that the event was a good opportunity to bring pioneering actors together. He gave some background about the celebrant’s formative years as well as those of other accomplished actors present, including Bayo Oduneye and Dejumo Lewis. Not keen on boring the audience with a long speech, Oguntokun got them rolling with laughter. This he did when he got into a reminiscent mood and asked the audience to sing the theme tune of ‘Village Headmaster’, in which Lewis played Kabiyesi.

The celebrant speaks

Responding to the accolades, Ajai-Lycett said she felt honoured to be there and thanked her fellow pioneering actors seated. “A poet is a visionary” that should be listened to and respected, she said, while acknowledging the poet and polemicist, Odia Ofeimun. Ajai-Lycett disclosed that her acting career had started by chance, when she stumbled across Yemi Ajibade on a production. The meeting paved the way for her to act.

Love of the stage

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal also talked about how she joined the Nollywood A-List, thanks to an almost accidental first audition. Although she has made more appearances on screen than the stage, she revealed that she is beginning to love the latter more.

“I love the stage much more than the screen these days. I don’t know why,” she said, laughing. “It’s a virus!” Tina Mba interjected, eliciting a loud roar of laughter from the audience. “It’s fantastic and exhilarating!” Henshaw-Nuttal added. Mba, who admitted to not being a woman “of many words,” said she felt honoured to be sitting down with Ajai-Lycett, who she described as humble and dedicated to her work.

Questions and answers

During the interactive session between the celebrant and the audience, the veteran actress provided answers to the many questions asked. On why she didn’t accept a Nollywood film role offered to her, Ajai-Lycett declared that Nollywood lacks everything she attributed to art. The discipline and respect needed are lacking, she observed, explaining that the the producer concerned had sent her a text and thrown her a script. “Courtesy is of the essence,” she said, adding that many filmmakers in Nigeria lack these qualities.

Nollywood’s highs and lows

There was a vibrant and sometimes heated discussion about the Nigerian film industry, with many in the audience offered their views on the subject.

“We should change our perception of art. Art is supposed to be enriching,” Ajai-Lycett advised. She further urged filmmakers to read books as a means of enhancing their art. Using Wole Soyinka as an example, she said anyone who was not ‘educated’ couldn’t read his book. His books, she said, translate the ideology and philosophy of his country. She asked how many of the filmmakers in the audience had read Ofeimun’s poems. The silence spoke volumes.

It was agreed after a long debate that Nollywood still has a lot to learn. Ajai-Lycett urged filmmakers to learn to be humble, committed to their work, to respect, appreciate and listen to one another. She further noted that even established filmmakers need training; and canvassed for the documentation of the past exploits of pioneering actors a way of encouraging thespians in general. The portrayal of the society at large in movies is also of great importance, she insisted.

A befitting event

There was much laughter during the course of the evening. Singer and Nigerian Idol judge, Yinka Davies, had everyone reeling with laughter when she spoke. The audience also had a good laugh over Nollywood movie titles. The moderator said it is easy to tell a Nollywood movie apart by its titles and soundtracks, because they are often funny and weird. He said this suggests that Nigerians have very limited ideas about appropriate film titles.

The highlight of the evening was rendering a moving song to Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and female power. Tina Mba got all the women in the audience to sing for five women worth celebrating in the Nigerian movie industry. The five women – Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Francesca Emanuel, Toun Oni, Iya Awero and Iya Rainbow – were celebrated, as females in the audience rose to sing ‘Iyaniwura’ (Mother is Golden). It was sung with such lustre that Taiwo Ajai-Lycett got on the dance floor. The men were also not left out, as Dejumo Lewis led all in the audience to sing to the veterans and fallen soldiers of the movie industry.

Things to do

At the end of the event, Jahman Anikulapo reiterated all that had been said and agreed upon. He urged the Greg Odutayo as NANTAP president to design programmes to train and mentor upcoming and established actors. He also urged writers and journalists to write about Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. He argued Nollywood shouldn’t be knocked down entirely; rather, “it should be changed, if it is our face to the world.” He further suggested that NANTAP should work hand in hand with the Association of Nigerian Authors, so that more movies would be adapted from literature, like Kelani’s movies.

As for Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, she was humility personified. “The only thing I don’t know is what I don’t know,” was among the memorable things she said on the day.

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett LIVE

SOURCE- Next234

Things Fall Apart by the Jos Repertory Theatre:

The Jos Repertory Theatre in association with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is set to bring Biyi Bandele’s stage adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s monumental novel THINGS FALL APART to the city of Abuja for the 48th Independence anniversary celebrations in October.

The production which generated rave reviews during the ANA organised 50th anniversary celebrations of the book Things Fall Apart in Ibadan in April is set to do same with the multi-talented cast put together by the Jos Repertory Theatre under the artistic directorship of Patrick-Jude Oteh.

The first production is billed for the 2nd of October in a presentation for schools at the Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Abuja, while the other performances are billed for the Merit House auditorium in Maitama on the 3rd and 4th of October 2008.

According to Denja Abdullahi, the National General Secretary of ANA, the idea behind the play billed for Abuja apart from still celebrating the novel at 50, is that “the book has lessons for all of us in the study of our diverse cultures, our unique gifts as a nation especially as we gradually approach our 50 years as a nation”.

Things Fall Apart is the tragic story of Okonkwo who achieves power and status through his own efforts and determination to succeed in a society which honours strength, wisdom, hard work, courage in war and a plethora of other skills.

Achebe’s representation of life in the early 20th century gives us a society with fully developed institutions in a direct democracy all functioning in a society under the benign supervision of a just God. The tragedy in the story is accentuated with the arrival of the white man and colonial power and Okonkwo’s refusal to come to terms with the new ways which he could not understand.

SOURCE: Vanguard

Basement Theatre Company (BTC) has been established in Abuja for the rebirth of the classy outdoors and to cater to the very specific and sophisticated social needs of urbane Nigerians and Abujans in particular. Now, BTC proudly presents Ola Rotimi’s Ovonramwen Nogbaisi in a complete theatre experience like none before it.

The play is a reconstruction of the historic fall of the great empire of Benin in the British Punitive Expedition of January 4, 1897. The drama looks beyond the obvious in cross-cultural struggles between empires and focuses on the burdens of power as well as the culturally peculiar diplomacy employed between two very fascinating monarchs.

For this Abuja opening, BTC is proud to bring back to Black theatre, African star of music, TV and stage, Dede Mabiaku in the leading role. He is joined by a most vibrant and select cast of the cream of Nigerian theatre. Among them are Toyin Oshinaike, Ahide Adum, Patrick Otoro, Albert Akaeze and Ikponmwonsa Gold.

Platinum Command Performance:

Date: Friday, 4th of July, 2008

Venue: Congress Hall, the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja

Time: 7pm prompt

Ticket: N19,999 or $170.00

Private Performance:

Date: Saturday, 5th of July, 2008

*For details of this performance, please contact Basement Theatre Company

Silver-Card Performances:

Date: Sunday, 6th of July, 2008

Venue: Africa Hall, the International Conference Centre, Abuja

Time: 3pm (matinee)/7pm

Ticket: N2,999 (singles); N4,999 (couples) **special student rates apply

We invite you to order bulk tickets for your organization/group and take advantage of our special bulk ticket discounts. For more box office details and ticket enquiries, please call 0702 546 3790-2 or e-mail tickets@btcnigeria.com. Also, visit our website www.btcnigeria.com for more information on Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and Basement Theatre Company.

Yemi Adeyinka,

Marketing & Audience Development

Picture Source: Broken Memory

Aunty Joke is in her own class and no doubt have carved a niche for herself as one of the best and most versertile actress on the Nollywood scene. She has conquered the world of filmography and have got her name on some A-list films within and outside Nollywood. Aunty Joke is married to another screen veteran Olu Jacobs.

She is a shining light and a darling of most upcoming actors and actresses in Nollywood. She has inspired most and amongst her aging compatriots, she stands out as an icon and one of those that is worthy to be the face of Nollywood.

Nollywood Critique in her latest outing ‘Older Women On Screen‘ poured glowing tribute to the screen icon, thus;

If there is a female actress that I can unequivocally say that I admire the most, that would be, hands-down, Joke Silva. Very few younger actresses can compare to this seasoned performer. Her contributions on and off the screen will be lauded for decades to come. Actually, I think older women in Nollywood have done very well for themselves in terms of perfecting their craft. Stalwarts that come to mind are Ngozi Ezeonu and Patience Ozokwor. While these women have served the industry well, I am not sure if the industry, that is Nollywood has made the best use of their talents…

I do share with her concern on the inability of todays producers to tap into the wealth of experience these aging icon and her compatriots have got to offer. As we all know good wine taste better with age. We hope to see Joke and most of the old faithfuls being given more roles; as Nollywood re-organises and evolves into world class cinema.

We urge Aunty Joke to continue with her services to humanity and Nollywood, she is much appreciated and have inspired a lot of todays celebs and most of aspiring Nollywood celebs also regards you as their icon and inspiration. We love you Aunty Joke.

Joke Silva on Stage with RMD: A Husband’s Wife

Joke Silver Filmography:

1. Letters to a Stranger (2007) (V)
2. To Love and to Hold (2007) (V)
3. To Love and to Hold 2 (2007) (V)
4. The Amazing Grace (2006) …. Maria Davies
5. 30 Days (2006/II) …. Dupe Ajayi
6. Brave Heart (2005) (V) …. Helen
7. Brave Heart 2 (2005) (V) …. Helen
8. Opin irin ajo (2005) (V)
9. Opin irin ajo 2 (2005) (V)
10. Women’s Cot (2005) (V)
    … aka Widow’s Cot (Nigeria: English title)
11. Women’s Cot 2 (2005) (V)
12. Women’s Cot 3 (2005) (V)
13. Last Wedding (2004) (V) …. Mrs. Daniel
14. Last Wedding 2 (2004) (V)
15. Keeping Faith: Is That Love? (2003) (V)
16. The Kingmaker (2003) (V)
17. The Secret Laughter of Women (1999) …. Nene

Picture Source