Rousing spectacle as Jos Festival of Theatre opens with ‘Woven Veil’
By Omadachi Oklobia
THE opening was simple. There was little or no ceremony. But the opening performance of Osasogie Efe Guobadia’s Woven Veil came as a blast that the Jos Repertory Theatre means business and they know how to do the business of theatre. It was the world premiere of Woven Veil and the director, Ali Inalegwu, and his talented cast did not disappoint.
The play that lasted for 80 minutes kept the audience rooted to their seats and those who had earlier informed the organisers that they would be leaving on time stayed till the end of the post-performance discussions and drinks at the bar of Alliance Francaise, Jos. With participants from Jos, Abuja, Bauchi and Gombe boosting the festival’s audience base, it was a befitting opening for a festival currently in its 17th edition and showing no signs of stopping.
In the words of one of the audience member, “the staying power of this group is enough reason for the government of Plateau State to invest heavily in the festival. The festival has consistently helped to showcase the positive side of this beautiful city.”
The Embassy of Spain and her development agency, AECID, according to her, has made a very “good and worthy investment in lifting the human spirit,” especially in these trying times for the soul and Jos and the entire Plateau State.
Woven Veil explores faith, family, ambition and the personal struggles that exist behind the public image of the religiously devout. The play, which started at exactly 4.52pm with introductions by the compere, 8th Sage, explored the private lives and family challenges of people who are deeply involved in religious life. The play explored how personal ambitions and the promises of a better life can affect family relationships, which brings to the fore one very important aspect of the play, which is the relationship between parents and children. As adults pursue their ambitions and responsibilities, time passes and the children grow up.
One of the posers in the play is the price people sometimes pay when personal ambitions are placed ahead of family relationships.
The play was performed by a talented cast of actors, who portrayed their roles very creditably and carried the audience along beautifully well. The projection was flawless coupled with genuine facial expressions. The blocking and the relationship between the actors portrayed the hardwork and willingness of the director to work with a diverse cast. The audience engagement and reactions showed how the play carried the audience along all through the 80 minutes of engagement that provided exceptional entertainment for the audience and a deep satisfaction for the cast and crew who have been in rehearsals in the past two months.
The festival continues tonight with Mallam Denja Abdullahi’s existentialist play, Chants in a Cemetary. Commendation goes to Embassy of Spain, Nigeria and AECID and other sponsors of the festival.
A scene from Guobadia’s Woven Veil
* Oklobia, a student of Federal University, Lafia, is attending the festival
