Theatre must go nationwide – Kobina Ansah
FOR many Ghanaians, the magic of theatre remains a distant luxury. While Accra’s creative scene often buzzes with activity, playwright Kobina Ansah Scribe Productions believes it is time for the rest of the country to share in that thrill.
Ansah noted that many people in the regions have never experienced a live stage play, a situation he believes must change if the industry is to grow.
“This begins with building small-capacity theatres in all regions. While these are being constructed, town halls and community centres can be used. It won’t be easy, but the first step must be taken.”
“The National Theatre must make an intentional effort to ensure more works are shown by production houses not just in Accra, but across all regions. The keyword is intentional effort. It would surprise many to know that people in different parts of this country have never seen a stage play. Theatre should be accessible to everyone, and it starts with a clear, intentional strategy,” he said in an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, January 6.
He stressed that the growth of theatre depends on the depth of stories told, not just audience numbers.
“Growth is subjective. To some, growth may mean filling the National Theatre even if they are making losses. To others, growth means making profits. The kind of growth I pray for our industry is the depth of the stories we tell.”
“Of course, we need support. However, the support will be sustainable if we are telling moving stories that not only stand the test of time but also have a lasting impact on lives. Good stories have no boundaries. They can be told anywhere and people can relate.
“The growth I desire for the Ghanaian theatre industry is telling deep stories that can compete with global stories on any stage, hence, project the rich literary culture that we share as a people,” he said.
Explaining further, Ansah, who is very optimistic about the future of theatre in Ghana, added, “It goes without saying that the future of our industry is very bright. However, since we look at the opportunities, we also need to pay attention to the threats.
“One of such is social media. It is both a threat and an opportunity. We should therefore leverage its power to make the works of industry players more visible,” he added.
Also, Ansah shared his thoughts on how theatre can be more adventurous and engaging this year.
“Making a theatrical performance out of a real-life happening, I think, is not only captivating but also adventurous. The Ghanaian theatre space, especially, has been flooded with innumerable romantic comedies. We want to see something new and refreshing.
“Embarking on adventures that bring other stories to the stage is what we need right now to inject excitement into the scene. Theatre is not boring. It is not a one-way kind of storytelling.
“All other forms of storytelling are welcome, including turning real-life experiences into stage plays. These can include stories about our culture, our heritage, our folk tales, or even Ghanaian movies that were hits back in the day,” he said.
Sharing what fans can expect from him and his team this year, Ansah said, “Scribe Productions will write and produce more impactful plays that solve (or somewhat try to) society’s problems.
“This year, we are going to make some of our plays accessible as books and will likely publish some of our original songs for public consumption. We have some exciting plays up our sleeves as well. It is going to be an exciting year!”
