By PRISCA SAM-DURU

The recently premiered one-act play, titled Cost of Living, written by Seffi Atta, may become the catalyst for quality theatre productions in Nigeria. The play which was directed by Nick Monu who has worked abroad for 20years in film productions, directing and acting narrates the story of a bungled kidnaping during which an American hostage and his Nigerian abductor exchange views relating to the value of life.

Addressing Newsmen in a brief meeting that preceded the premiere of the play, Nick identified lack of funds as responsible for production of sub-standard plays in the country which hinders the exportation of Nigerian works to the western world.

Lack of fund which resulting from lack of sponsorship from corporate organisations, he said, has also given rise to poor remunerations to the artists which in turn, resulted in deserting the stage. The play director who has had opportunities to work in major houses in the UK such as, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theater, the Royal Court and Globe Theater posited that the only way to get the attention of artists is to see that they are well remunerated such that no other job can interest them in life. This is an obligation he is set to perform in the lives of Nigerian artistes to ensure they put in their best and compete favourably with their counterparts in foreign thearter companies.

The process of changing the Nigerian style of rushing productions for quick returns which is responsible for the poor productions, according to the internationally acclaimed producer , is a journey every theatre producer must under take so as to attract the interest of corporate sponsors who must be made to understand that they definitely have some reward for investing in art.

A scene from the cost of living

“We are no longer cajoling the government to invest in theartre productions since they do not seem to understand what is at stake here…. we loose a lot of money in Nigeria because of lack of encouragement…corporate companies should begin to see art as a viable means of increasing their income”, he stated

Considering the calibre of actors like Frank Adekunle Macauly, Toyin Oshinaike; quality of production by Terra Kulture, Seffi Atta, Monu, and Monu productions; with sponsorship by Guaranty Trust Bank and Muritala Muhammed Foundation; and stage props provided by Julius Berger Nigeria while promotional support came from Sesema PR, Cost of Living could indeed be setting the pace for the emergence of theaters of international standard in the Nation.

On the issue of professionalism, Nick underscored the task ahead for every theater practitioner as he noted that in as much as the theatre practitioners in Nigeria are trained, many have put financial gains ahead of professional reward which calls for a re-awakening and change of attitude.

The one act-play which will be performed every Sunday in the month of March at Terra Kulture by 3pm and 6pm is set in the Niger Delta region and tackles problems such as undermining of youths who are the Nation’s biggest assets as well as the Socio-economic and environmental degradation of the region which the government appears bereft of clue on how to find a lasting solution.