Artswax Communications in collaboration with the Guild of Theatre Art Drummers’ (GOTHAD) has announced plans to use award-winning broadcast journalist and Dramatist, Ola Awakan’s play, Echoes of the Drums to commemorate the 2024 World Drummers Day.
During a preview and press conference recently at the Seaside Cottage Theatre (alias Ile Ijo) located in Bariga, Lagos State, the announcement was made that the book unveiling and command performance will take place at the National Universities Commission in Abuja, on Thursday April 4th, 2024.
According to the Chairman, Lagos GOTHAD, Seun Awobajo, the theme of this year’s celebration is titled “Let the Music and Rhythm Rule the World”. He revealed that drums are unappreciated in the current society despite its beauty and many implementations in the Nigerian culture, it is yet to gain its deserved prestige both locally and internationally.
He further reiterated that Mr Awakan’s play “Echoes of the Drums” is the first play of its kind which puts drums in centre stage, as it gives the audience the opportunity to interact and enjoy a beautiful and well-written play that showcases this wonderful instruments and the many beautiful sounds of the drums.
He also commended the playwright for his efforts and hardwork with the organisation as well as his continual effort towards showcasing the prospect of the art to the world.
Mr Ola Awakan, The awarding-winning Playwright and producer of the upcoming event also disclosed that the tremendous support he has received from the Guild of Theatre Arts Drummers was one of the reasons the production is coming alive again.
He revealed that the upcoming performance in Abuja is not the first of the play as it was originally performed in 2022 by the National Troupe of Nigeria in Lagos but the Abuja project will be the biggest ever.
He also revealed that the event in Abuja would be a triple celebration which will include: The celebration of National Drummers Day, performance of his play “Echoes of the Drums” and the book launch of the play”.
He further revealed that after the event celebration, a national tour of the play around higher institutions in the country will follow alongside a global drummunication tour.
The goal of this tour is to educate the current generation on the beauty and importance of drums in the society.
He also disclosed that a movie version and an animation adaptation of the play are also in the plans as the goal is to create local cultural heroes that the current and coming generations can relate to and also learn more about our culture from.
Similarly, Mr Isioma Williams, the National Coordinator, Guild of Theatre Arts Drummers and the official director of the upcoming play revealed his ambition to make the upcoming play the best it has ever been.
He stated that theatre is mostly about the cast and their dialogues while music and its instrumentations including drums only exist in the background.
Therefore, it is a major theatrical feat to have the first play of its kind featuring drummers as the main characters and drums as the major instrument of communication. He also revealed that the word coined by the playwright “Drummunication” is the perfect description of the play.
Mr Williams revealed that drums are largely appreciated outside the country and have gone beyond just instruments. Several countries have started implementing drums for therapeutic procedures and even in treatment for some health related ailments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to act fast and put Nigerian Drums back in the international scene.
He disclosed that he would ensure his best to tell the story as it is so that the audience can enjoy it’s plot and lessons in it’s pure form and have an amazing time during the premier.
Also in attendance were Mr Tairu Ajibode, the National Secretary, Guild of Theatre Art Dance Practitioners who appealed that more support should be given to the theatre.
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