Pomp as Lagos Theatre Festival kicks off

The 7th edition of the Lagos Theatre Festival kicked off on Thursday evening at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos with performances from Nigerian writer, performance artist and poet, Efe Paul Azino.
Joy Chioma Ebiem, popularly known as J’dess, also thrilled the audience with her heavenly sounds, while other dance groups also took turns to make the evening colourful.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos Theatre Festival, holding from February 27 to March 1, was created to present theatre in unconventional spaces.
The Festival Coordinator, Bukola Sanu, told NAN that the festival, with the theme: “Out of Bounds,” would include workshops, performances and evening shows.
Sanu said over 800 applications were received from volunteers for the four days festival, which would witness 200 performers at 20 different venues.
The Coordinator added that the festival would also be a platform for young performing artistes to network.
The venues for the festival, according to Sanu, would be Freedom Park, African Artistes Foundation, Alliance Francaise and National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.
NAN reports that LTF had partnered with British Council since 2013 to foster exchange and collaboration between Nigerian and British artists through the presentation of high quality Nigerian and British theatre plays.
Executive Director LTF, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, speaking during the opening ceremony, said theatre arts needed the support of the people to thrive.
Graham-Douglas urged creative minds to utilise the festival effectively as it was an opportunity for them to express themselves.
She said: “It is an opportunity of giving new creative minds platform to express themselves.
“It is been seven years of pure joy and theatre like you have never seen before and this year, we are going out of bounds.
“To organise festivals like this takes a whole village and I appreciate the board for their sacrifice and commitment.
“We want to appeal to you that we need your support.
“The arts cannot thrive without support, philanthropy and investment.
“Please support theatre and we hope you enjoy what we have put together for you this year.”
Graham-Douglas added that the festival would be a green one as the waste gathered at the festival would be recycled.