By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
As Nigeria on sunday witnessed their first in history drive -in theater in the cultural industry, the Director General National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC),Otunba Runsewe, said the drive -in theatre has opened a new chapter in the creative industry in the era of physical distance.
Runsewe made the disclosure on sunday in Abuja during the Drive-in theatre with covid -19 is protocol saying that the post covid-19 which has become “our new normal life has successfully experience achieved a huge new style of changing our narrative and new style for us to sale the productions to the whole world .
“There is driving-in theatre in USA, Germany and Spain, Nigeria cannot he left behind the finial statement must be made “.
He who expressed happiness at the encouraging presence of Nigerians and culture enthusiasts who graced the occasion, adding that Nigeria has once again made statements that life has returned in the country post covid 19.
“We are a big country and we shall continue to prepare and not relax. Covid 19 may have impacted on the cultural tourism businesses worldwide but in Nigeria, we are back on the beat, we are going to overcome challenges and put the right foot forward.
According to him, NCAC has developed a unique strategy that will serve as a template for performing arts events going forward.
He said the beautiful collaborations with Mosaic theatre production,NCAC presented the drive -in theatre production in the city of Abuja with a classic two-part total theatre production was laudable.
“Covid -19 is like a rain falling and it gives us an opportunity to think outside the box and to come up with this Drive -in cultural theatre which serves as a therapy and rain jacket for the pandemic”.
“The production leverages on the opportunities available through digital platform to enable theatrical performance holds safest way possible amidst the pandemic”Runsewe stated .
He added that NCAC post covid creative efforts, the drive in open theater was geared towards perfecting the up coming National Festival of Arts and Culture ( Nafest) slated for Jos in October.
The Chairman, House committee on culture,Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, congratulated Runsewe on the frontal drive-in effort, noting that NCAC has more than justified its corporate relevance and contributions to the advancement of Nigerian cultural tourism beyond covid 19.
Ihama reiterated that, Runsewe once again has shown capacity. He was not waiting to be told what to do but has shown everyone how to rise above the fears of the pandemic. He is futuristic and proactive, no doubt Nafest 2020 in Jos is a reality.
The national assembly, the house committee on culture in particular, is proud to be associated with this outing and with Runsewe NCAC.
Meanwhile, The event, shoveled with very tight security, social distancing, wearing of mask protocols,car owners strategically connected to a special program frequency for sound, dedicated pavilions and over forty visitors convenience.
The well illuminated and decorated open theatre stand was centralized and visible from all directions and angles, with the thespians observing the approved protocols, with the Abuja hotel staff serving guests with snacks and beverages at intervals and fully following the established hygiene protocols.
Beamed on NCAC zoom, Instagram, Facebook and other social media page accounts, the presence and on the spot coverage by notable Nigerian television stations added to the glamorous experiment.