By Chris Onuoha
MUCH as theater industry has tremendously repositioned itself in the Nigeria entertainment world, various production outfits has proved this reality by consistently producing and staging shows, thus occupying its position in leisure and recreational business.

A scene from the performance

Incidentally,Thespian Family Theater and Productions (TFT) is one among numerous theater outfits that has relentlessly proved this assertion through its various satirical productions over time.

And having produced many shows like Five Maids of Fadaka, Mad King of Ijudiya, Wizard of Law, the Crystal Slipper and many more, yet come another new hilarious satirical play call ‘Midnight Hotel’ that debuted at Agip Recital Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos recently.

The sensational dance drama written by renowned playwright Femi Osofisan, directed by Israel Eboh and performed by seasoned theatre professionals to a large audience during Easter holidays had actors like Muyiwa Osinaike, Olarotimi Fakunle, Oluwatoyin Olokodana, William Ekpo, Gabriel Isong, Dede Kevin Alozie and others.

In a colourful stage set with all the essential attributes of typical guest house rooms and interior decors coupled with the hall ambience,Midnight Hotel in its uniqueness captures reminisce of good old ‘Hotel  De Jordan’ the rested NTA National programme.

It is a humorous satire showcasing the socio-political challenges faced by the country post-independence. The unique quality of the work lies in its rib-cracking humour, ironies, sarcasm, iconographies, witty use of proverbs and the intense use of metaphors.

Behaviours and issues

The hotel and its various inmates typify persons, trades, systems, communities and in fact the whole eco-system that make up our unique country. The play mirrors some of the events, behaviours and issues that people talks about but do nothing about.

In the play, Muyiwa Oshinaike (Chief Jimoh) and his less ambitious assistant, ‘Bicycle’ played by Dede Kevin Alozie who seems to be more confused with his job and complicate issues run things as they pleases with less attention to guest’s comfort in the hotel.

Then enters the double dealer ‘Awero’ a role played by Oluwatoyin Olokodana the parliamentarian who typifies the social ill that goes on in our polity today. For her, life is a trade-off and it works just as well with women as it does with men.

Her prey, Pastor Suuru played by Olarotimi Fakunle whose quest to get government contract while tangoing with Awero ends up in comedy errors when Awero’s husband ‘Asibong’ played by Gabriel Isong  who was also the hotel’s guest showed up in a more dramatic confusion which was resolved when love overrule things.

Other characters are ‘Alatise’ the Headmaster played by William Ekpo with his three girl children, Catherine (Olagbadebo Oladotun),Agnes (Owumi Ugbeye) and Bose(Oroale Oluyomi)  left for him by his late wife. Alatise is noted for his witty use of proverbs to draw a point.

The drama is laced with intermittent dances and choreographies with music supplied by the musicians.

TFT is a unique theatre and productions organization that is poised to use ‘unusual theatre’ to inspire a positive change in society and create a deeper engagement around core values that define the spectrum of humanity.

And this theater organization that are passionate about Nigeria, citizenship and aspirations has an objective geared towards creating a feeling of oneness in spite of diversity of tribe, language and culture through satirical drama presentations. They are bent on producing quality dance, drama shows that educate and correct the ills of the society.