By japhet alakam

IN its determined bid to rejuvenate the culture of theatre in Nigeria by creating opportunities and platforms for performing artists to exhibit their talents and advance their skills, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation (BUAF) in partnership with Terra Kulture penultimate Sunday at Terra Kulture hosted theatre lovers with the command performance of Barclays Ayakoruma’s Castles in the Air.

Described by many as a great work that has toured many states of the federation, the play which was brought to Lagos for the first time reflects the life style of a typical Nigerian family that is engrossed with religious and ethnic bigotry. It also chronicles the role money plays in most of the major decisions in the country today.

The play directed by a renowned thaetre director/producer Isreal Eboh who is making a return after two year’s break, featured an array of both popular and emerging actors, such as Haji Bello, David Ebi Prebai, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Akrah Joy Princess, Omololu Sodiya, and Patrick Dibuah.

The play, Castles in the Air, set in Lagos, tells the story of a Muslim couple whose desire is that their son Aminu, would get married and become a more responsible adult.

They realise they have failed in their bid when they receive a letter from a respected uncle offering a huge amount of money to the family with conditions that Aminu must marry and father a child within a year. But they continue in their quest.

All seems okay and preparations begin on how the money would be spent to upgrade the family’s lifestyle, until Aminu decides to marry the girl of his dreams, a Christian who is from southern Nigeria and the conflicts begin. Caught up in the chaos they fail to realise that they are building castles in the air.

Infused with lots of humorous contents as displayed by Santana, the play confronts some of the major problems in the country. With a well designed set in an impressive parlour of Alhaji and his wife by Biodun Abe, the play opens with the Alhajis who were worried over the failure of their son Aminu to settle down for marriage.

The argument continued until a letter comes from Aminu’s uncle, Alhaji Usman who promised to give them One hundred million Naira if Aminu will marry and father a son in one year, an offer that enraged Alhaji who rained curses on him.

The play took a dramatic turn when Chief Emokpare entered with his niece, Stella, a Christian from the Eastern part of the country and Aminu agreed to marry her. But both parties refused to give their blessings because of their backgrounds while Alhaji wanted Aminu to marry a Hausa girl, Chief Emokpare wanted her niece to marry an Izon son but when the issue of the money came up, both parties agreed.

Castles in the air

They were still trying to sort out some grey areas about the marriage when another letter came informing them of the death of Alhaji Usman and that made them to realise that they had all long been building castles in the air.

The play is a very well written comedy that has been produced in several parts of the country. It will run every Sunday in September, at Terra Kulture.

Creator of BUAF, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, the actress and events planner who stated that she intends to make theatre the preferred mode of entertainment in Nigeria, said ‘’the production is in conjunction with Terra Kulture, and is in line with the Foundation’s commitment to rejuvenating the live theatre culture in Nigeria.’’

Continuing, she said “It is just in line with what we at BUAF are doing to rejuvenate theatre in Nigeria. It is theatre, and we are going to continue to produce theatre performances when we can until we are able to secure permanent funding, and then we can have more performances every year and a timetable of what we will do during the year. That is in line with everything that we do, and BUAF will continue to produce theatre. Terra Kulture approached me to produce the play as part of their usual Theatre at Terra drama series, and I accepted to do that.” She added