National Theatre and Image Bureau sign MOU for new play in August

The National Theatre of Ghana has partnered with Image Bureau and April Communications to produce Wole Soyinka's "Death and the King's Horseman." 

The collaboration was sealed with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two entities at the premises of the National Theatre on Monday, June 23. 

The play will run from Saturday, August 23 and 24 and encore on August 30 and 31, 2025, at the National Theatre.

In a presentation, the Acting Executive Director of the National Theatre, Herbert Malm emphasized that this partnership aligns with the National Theatre's mandate to promote and develop the performing arts industry in Ghana.

“I want to use this occasion to start publicity for the shows. This is in line with the National Theatre’s mandate which enjoins it to facilitate the development and promotion of the performing arts industry in Ghana.

“This is the mandate which the National Theatre of Ghana has delivered since it opened its doors to the public since 1992 and continues to do so even to this day.

“Today’s ceremony is just another opportunity to assure our cherished clients of our unflinching support for their ingenuity and this is the reason why are resident groups, are all joining to support to make the programme successful.’

“I call on all theatre loving people and other members of the public to join us for an exciting experience as Image Bureau and April Communications thrill us with their performances,” he said. 

George Quaye, CEO of Image Bureau, expressed excitement about the project, noting that while the play is challenging to execute, they are confident in the National Theatre's commitment to making it a success. 

“”Our journey with the National Theatre started with the previous administration and today, we have started a new journey again and we believe this journey will be rewarding and more exciting.

This play is one that many directors would like not to toil with because it is deep and it is difficult to execute. However, with the assurances that we have had from the leadership of the National Theatre, especially commitment from the new Executive Director to ensure that this is one of Ghana’s most exceptional productions, we probably would have checked out.

“It is a very difficult play to execute and quite expensive to stage but we have assurances and we believe we are about to blow the minds of patrons all over again. We believe this is going to be the epitome of theatre in Africa, we are going to redefine theater because for us, there are no group of performers in this country who are better than those stationed here at the National Theatre,” he said.

George Quaye also disclosed that renowned stage actor, Andrew Tandoh-Adote will be playing the lead role in “Death and the King’s Horseman” play in August.