THEATRE director and founder of Image Bureau, George Quaye, has called on corporate institutions in Ghana to increase their support for the arts, saying the development of theatre should not be left to government alone.
To him, sustained corporate investment in the creative arts is essential to ensuring theatre continues to thrive and provide opportunities for actors, writers, directors, producers and other creative professionals.
George Quaye made the call during the final showing of his latest play, Gayina’s Pound of Flesh, which attracted an enthusiastic audience at the National Theatre on Sunday, August 9.
The play, which opened on Saturday, August 1, continued with performances on Sunday, August 2 and Saturday, August 8, with the final performance drawing a strong turnout and an excited audience.
Speaking after the final showing, George Quaye said the response to the production demonstrated that Ghanaians continued to have an appetite for live theatre when given quality productions.
He, however, stressed that the success and sustainability of the theatre industry required support from multiple sectors of society.
“The government cannot do everything. Corporate Ghana has a role to play in supporting theatre and the creative arts. When businesses invest in theatre, they are not only supporting a production but also investing in the people and talent behind it,” he said.
The packed final performance was met with applause, laughter and enthusiastic reactions from patrons, many of whom remained engaged throughout the two-and-a-half-hour production.
Several patrons also expressed appreciation for the quality of the production and echoed George Quaye’s call for greater corporate support for theatre.
One patron, Kofi Boateng, said the strong turnout demonstrated that theatre still had a place in Ghana’s entertainment.
“The energy in the auditorium tonight was amazing. It shows that people still want to experience live theatre. If more companies support productions like this, we can have even bigger and better shows,” Robert Cudjoe said.
Another patron, Philip Baidoo, described Gayina’s Pound of Flesh as an enjoyable theatrical experience and urged producers to continue creating quality productions.
“The fact that the auditorium was packed tells you something. People will come when the production is good. We need more of these shows and I believe corporate support can help make that possible,” he said.
Blending comedy, suspense and courtroom drama, Gayina Pound of Flesh explores themes of religious intolerance, revenge, justice and forgiveness through a contemporary Ghanaian lens.
It also reflects everyday realities in which people are judged and marginalised because of their beliefs, ethnic backgrounds or social identities.
It challenges audiences to reflect on the prejudices and contradictions that shape human relationships and the consequences of discrimination.
Written and directed by George Quaye, Gayina Pound of Flesh is an original African adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
