With 2023 elections around the corner, the musical, One Good Man, while promising Broadway fun for theatre-goers weaves in the message of political awareness: ‘it takes one good man to turn around the nation’.
Written and produced by actor and playwright, Patrick Otoro, One Good Man emphasizes the need for individuals to offer themselves up in service to the nation, as opposed to being armchair critics.
The musical further highlights qualities of a good leader. Political actors in Nigerian politics often brand themselves as ‘experienced’ or ‘professional’ politicians. Consequently, the nation has witnessed a recycling of ‘experienced politicians’ who have made no positive impact in the Nigerian polity.
Otoro said while experience is important, one need not be a politician to rule a nation or be a leader.
The musical, however, is neither preachy nor heavily political. It is entertainment packed, featuring veteran and popular actors as Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) in the lead role, Patrick Diabuah (God Calling) and Abuja-based hip-hip dance group The Elevators. While exploring themes of politics, love and friendship, it also celebrates Nigerian cultures in songs, dances, and festivities.
“It has a lot of entertainment value though laced with a lot of messages. We don’t want to bore the audience with political talk, or make them feel like it is a campaign. That is why in the story you have all kinds of love stories, love songs, dance, music, culture. There is a scene where we had a full northern ‘turbaning’ ceremony. There are dances from the riverine areas of the country. From Niger Delta Urhobo and Ijaw cultures, to lots of Urhobo, Ijaw, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba songs.”
One Good Man is Eagleview Production’s first performance post the COVID 19 pandemic. The company had successfully wrapped up Agbala the Musical in 2019 just as the virus hit the global shores.
On why it took two-year hiatus to return to boards, the CEO of Eagleview Production said the pandemic took a huge toll on the theatre industry, unlike the music and movie industry that were able to resume work regardless of social protocols guidelines necessitated by the pandemic.
“With us in theatre business, it takes a while to build back our audience. Also, we ended 2019 with an excellent production. So, rather than just do anything, we took our time to plan a good show and return with a bang”.
So far, the musical with a 50-man cast has gulped over N4 million and counting, without any sponsors in sight.
Besides trimming down its use of celebrities, and in-kind support by a celebrity cast, it is relying on sponsors and publicity efforts to attract more viewership.
“It is the biggest show in Abuja at the moment, and none of the actors are earning less than a N50,000. Of course, the popular actors earn much more. Then, the sets, the lighting, the costumes etc. the budget is crazy. That’s why I am putting in everything, using all out little networks, social media, and conventional media to disseminate this. We hope if we make noise well enough, people will come to the show. We are also believing some theatre angel will step in.”
Meantime, Otoro has promised Nigerians ‘magic’ and a Broadway level of fun at the event.
“You can take my word to the bank. Theatre-going audience should expect magic. The kind they have never seen in Abuja before. One Man is as good as Broadway.”
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