2025 Ghana Theatre Festival begins on September 23
The National Theatre of Ghana launched this year’s Ghana Theatre Festival in Accra yesterday, aimed at celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage, talent and creativity.
The six-day event is scheduled to commence on September 23 and end on September 28, with a promise to create a platform for creative expression, interaction and the showcase of works diverse artists and performing arts groups at the National Theatre.
The Festival is also aimed at building the production capacity of theatre practitioners, ensuring quality productions were accessible to diverse audiences and fostering a growing community of theatre lovers and potential patrons.
It is on the theme "Showcasing the Rich Diversity of Ghanaian Culture Through the Performing Arts".
Activities
The Festival would feature a variety of activities such as Legends Night to honor outstanding contributors of the country’s creative and performing arts industry, theatre performances by senior high schools aimed at providing a platform for schools to showcase their creative works.
There would also be performances by the Department of music, school of performing arts, Legon, Banarackor Consult, Images Bureau and April communications and the three resident companies of the National Theatre; Ghana Dance Ensemble, the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Drama Company (Abibigromma).
Each day
Throughout the week, there would be exhibitions, masterclass, dance aerobics, live paintings, food bazaar and several other creative performances.
On September 23, an opening ceremony would be held, including an event “titled “ Honouring our Legends. On September 24, senior high school drama performances and a Drama titled “Love in Transit” would be held.
A symposium on the “Impact of the current tax regime on the fortunes of Arts and Culture industry”, a film screening and musicals would be organised on September 25.
On September 26, there would be a costume parade and a dance drama by SAJII(ISSUES).On September 27, a costume parade and a Drama titled “G-Yard people” to be shown at 4pm and 8pm would be organised.
For the last day, in addition to the costume parade, a closing ceremony would be organised as well as a Drama titled “Run for your wife” to be shown at 4pm and 8pm.
Reflect on progress
The Executive Director of National Theatre, Henry Herbert Malm, stressed that the festival would bring together theatre practitioners, artists, and enthusiasts to share ideas, showcase their talents, and reflect on the progress made in the industry.
He said the celebration would feature performances by both established and upcoming artists to promote arts and nurture young talent.
"We think that it's essential that at the end of it all, we are able to coordinate something that gives a platform for them to express themselves, to come together, interact with each other, talk about ideas, about problems, about prospects in the industry," he said.
He indicated that although the foyer would be open to all, attendees would be required to make a contribution to support the growth of the industry for the theatre performances.
