Even with the National Theatre on the Lagos mainland, most theatre activities in the state are taken to the island. Ifeanyi Eziukwu, who studied Economics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has taken it upon himself to promote theatre culture on the mainland with Mainland Plays Series (MPS). In this chat with Senior Copy Editor, INNOCENT ANORUO, the theatre director and producer of MPS talks about the project.
How did your theatre career start?
I worked with Wole Oguntokun’s Renegade Theatre on Lagos Island. When I left Renegade Theatre in 2011, I came down to the mainland and found out that everybody goes to the island to watch plays. The thought of bringing theatre to the mainland continued ringing a bell in my soul. So that gave birth to the Mainland Play Series.
In July 2014, it started with Tyler Perry’s Marriage Counselor. From there, it has been different plays every two months till date.
So you learnt the rudiments of theatre from Oguntokun.
I learnt the basics from Oguntokun. Or I would say he laid the foundation.
Aside Oguntokun, who else did you learn theatre from?
I went to Waterfront Theatre School, Capetown, South Africa. Some credit should also go to Yodrac Playhouse of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, because I started from there in 2007.
What plays have you done since you started MPS in 2014?
Aside Marriage Counselor by Tyler Perry, I have done Women of Owu by Femi Osafisan, The Blinkards by Kobina Sekyi, The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka, The Wives by Ahmed Yerima, and Lagos, Yes, Lagos by Yemi Ajibade.
Others include Private Lies by Tyrone Terrence, Two Characters Undefined by Paul Ugbede, and Dialing Love by Paul Ugbede.
We are rehearsing Fool’s Day by Olufemi Oke.
Who are the big names you have used in your productions?
The mission of the theatre outfit, Just Theatre, is to create the names in no name and put them out there. We pick people with or without theatre background, train them and pay them. By so doing, we create soft employment.
So, what you just use is raw talent?
Exactly!
How long does it take you to train a greenhorn?
They learn on the job. Every play takes at least six weeks intensive rehearsals.
You mean you can train a raw talent for a production in just six weeks?
Yes, with intensive training. They continue to improve with other plays.
How is audience response to your productions?
I wouldn’t know. All I know is that once we put up a banner around, our tickets are usually sold out?
Then you should know how many tickets you print for each production.
Depending on the venue.
Which venue raked in the highest tickets and how much was a ticket?
Firewood at Sabo, Yaba, can sit 70 persons. Most times, the hall is filled. Ticket was N1,000.
Does that cover your production cost or is someone backing you up?
Not at all.
So, how do you cope?
Passion for the job continues to sustain us.
Let’s talk about your next project.
Our next production is Private Lies written by Tyrone Terrence. It is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, at Firewood, Sabo, Yaba.
As an economist, are you not interested in the business side of theatre?
Theatre on the mainland is yet to find a market. We are trying to first create the market that will demand the product.
Even if the cast performs for the love of theatre, who takes care of other logistics like location, props and welfare?
Props, welfare and others I provide and also count on the support of some individuals like and organisations like St Stephen’s Catholic Church, Iwaya; and Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP).
Do you act too? If so, how many productions have you performed in?
Yes, I started off as an actor. I was part of Wole Oguntokun’s Theatre at Terra as an actor and logistics manager, but now I am fully into directing and producing.
With your theatre project on the mainland, where do you see theatre in the next five years?
Wow, wow and wow! I see Mainland Plays Series in the next five years as a means of employment. I see theatre culture taking over the cinemas. But the government, individuals and corporate organisations should come in and support us because it’s another oil well or oil block that has not been discovered or tapped into.
At what point in your career will you heave and say ‘I have arrived’?
When my Just Theatre House gets to organise every theatre-oriented show in Nigeria.
What is your advice to those who want to make a living through the theatre?
First, you need to have passion for the work. Be focused and work hard. Don’t be discouraged at any point because it will eventually pay off.
Where do you hail from?
I am from Adazi-Ani in Anambra State.
