Friends, I was privileged to watch a command performance of "The Bridge", a musical dance drama by the National Troupe of Nigeria. Held at the National Theatre, Lagos, it was perhaps a befitting contribution to the independence anniversary and celebration of nationhood at 52, whilst it sought to proffer solution to our myriad problems.
Ensconced in the belly of the Cinema Hall 2, National Theatre, on that Saturday evening, I knew as the plot unfolded, that "The Bridge" was the story of Nigeria. It told it eloquently from the platform of a man who was promoted to the position of a bank manager. However, the disturbing aspect of this promotion is his transfer to Tanfo – a failed metropolis with high level of insecurity, corruption, civil strife, rancor and power struggle amongst the people.
Against persuasions from his wife and kinsmen, he resolves to go to Tanfo, to make a change. On arrival, he witnesses all the greed and avarice associated with power play. At the end, he intervenes and is able to resolve the people’s differences. He brings a new order which ensures that everybody is given the same opportunity as the other. The desired new order of peace and harmony is enthroned in Tanfo.
"The Bridge" is a metaphorical interplay of chaos and peace, struggle and attainment, denial and opportunity, inequality and equality, disunity and unity, negative and positive, etc. usually associated with the challenges of nationhood and mutual existence. It also shows the good that can be achieved when individuals take a principled stand and backs that with affirmative action.
The production drew on the potent use of dance, songs and music as instruments of national re-orientation and transformation. It was an experiment in inter-cultural communication, enlightenment, education and entertainment. It is indeed auspicious to use Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Anniversary to spread such message of peace, tolerance, and mutual existence to break the yoke of terrorism and bloodletting now besetting the land!
On another level, the production evoked a lot of memories for me. For one, Arnold Udoka, Director, Dance, National Troupe, who wrote and choreographed "The Bridge", is a graduate of Theatre Arts, University of Calabar, from where I took the same degree, though at different times. Mike Anyanwu, Deputy Director, Dance, was in Theatre Arts, UNICAL, though he has gone on to take a Law degree and is now a barrister. Lol! He actually invited me to the event. Secondly I did the mandatory National Youth Service at the National Theatre, many years ago. It was thus a sort of home coming where I met many friends and associates in the theatre and entertainment world. The icing on the cake was meeting Sir Peter Badejo OBE, Nigeria’s dance export to the world (I hope to celebrate him soon on this blog)….
Friends, what a great joy to make a desired change, in our environment and society today. Wouldn’t it really be nice to be an instrument, an arrow head for positive change in our nation today? We seem to have graduated from the much touted corruption and ineptitude on the part of government, to wanton destruction of property and waste of human lives! The people as it were, are now killing themselves.
Apart from the physical manifestation, there is a spirit behind this extermination tendency. And the things of the spirit are best dealt through a relationship with God. He also, will give the required grace to take a stand and affirmative action. If you will like to find out more about God and how you can have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, visit any bible believing church near you, or: CHAPEL OF DESTINY RESTORATION CHURCH, 2 Akinlabi Lane, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, by Round About Bus Stop, Ikeja. Lagos.
No comments:
Post a Comment