As part of its mandate of producing theatrical works that meet national aspiration, the apex performing institution in Nigeria, the National Troupe of Nigeria will this Easter stage a musical chorale concert titled, ‘The Rhythm of the Nation’. The concert will be directed by Dapo Omideyi with the ethnomusicologist, Femi Ogunrombi providing support.

However a public performance scheduled for April 28 and 29 at 5pm each day will precede the command showing of the choral concert which the management of the troupe also say is being staged in line with the promise of the newly confirmed Artistic Director Mr. Martin Adaji to reinvigorate the music department of the troupe.

Cast from the musical concert,The Rhythm of the Nation’

The musical which will be performed by the newly recruited artiste of the National Troupe with support from a few freelance artistes will be the first production to be staged since Mr. Adaji was confirmed as Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe on March 8, 2011. A similar concert was staged by the troupe last year.

Adaji however disclosed that the concert this year will be different because according to him, ‘outside the song of the Easter season that will be performed, the concert will feature a compilation of songs from the six geo-political zones so that it can be enjoyed by everybody and as well, appeal to non-Christians alike’.

Also, Adaji stated that the performance was to test the ability of the artistes of the National Troupe who have been undergoing training for about 12 weeks now. He said: ‘You will recall that we call new artistes into camp in March and since then they have been in training. They were trained in the three art forms—dance, music and drama. We got Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye to handle them in drama; got Dr. Chris Ugolo of the University of Benin to drill them in Dance and Femi Ogunrombi to work on their singing abilities. So this performance is a test case for the artiste.’