By Nwagbo Pat Obi, ASSITEJ Nigeria
The South East Nigeria ASSTIEJ demonstrated ability in disability through a total theatre performance with disabled Children.
It is a Development Performance Initiative (DPI) of theatre for the youths and children performance with the disabled children in Enugu state, Nigeria where total theatre performance of dance, music and drama took place. Poetry reading and rendition also featured.
The unified movement of the performers to the rhythm of the drums formed aesthetic pattern and the audience really enjoyed the performance. Ikechukwu Erojikwe’s Save Our Song, a play rich in Nigerian culture added beauty to the production just as native songs embellished the show. It took place at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Arts Theatre, Enugu State. Also in the same venue at the University campus, Theatre for Development (TfD) performances were showcased. The TfD show focuses on voters’ education exposing the apathy of the electorate. There was also the theme of national integration, early marriage, domestic violence and Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
The zone is currently rehearsing oral performance drama with secondary schools in Enugu State billed for December as a Christmas varieties for its teeming spectators. This will also include improvisations from personal experience of the youths, tour to schools with adaptation of films for the teenagers as well as musical theatre and dance workshop
