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Ibadan Theatre: 7 Decades of Nurturing African Talent
26 Jun
Summary
- The Wole Soyinka Theatre has nurtured talent for seven decades.
- It serves as a crucial proving ground for actors in Nigeria.
- Alumni contribute significantly to Nollywood and African theatre.
The Wole Soyinka Theatre at the University of Ibadan has been a cornerstone of Nigerian performing arts for seven decades since its 1955 founding. Named after Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, it continues to be a critical proving ground for aspiring actors and theatre professionals. The department is instrumental in training talent that develops theatre studies in universities nationwide.
This historic venue stages diverse productions, like the recent African adaptation of "Medea," "Medaaye," which featured dialogue in English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, incorporating traditional music and dance. Renowned playwright Femi Osofisan, a celebrated alumnus, recently attended events celebrating his 80th birthday at the theatre he once studied and taught in.
The influence of Ibadan-trained artists extends significantly to Nollywood, Nigeria's prolific film industry, producing approximately 200 films monthly. Actors like Ejirooghene Asagba, who honed her skills on the Wole Soyinka stage, have since appeared in prominent films and series. Despite its successes, touring across Nigeria and the continent remains a challenge due to costs.
