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Ghanaian Theatre |
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Ghanaian
theatre is based
on the traditional theatre troupes, who perform, in local
languages, what are usually called "concert parties". These
are immensely popular, especially in the countryside where
television and cinema do not reach and they are the only
source of entertainment. A major reason for the success of
these concert party troupes is their ability to provide the
three basic elements of African theatre: drama, music, and
dance. Plots are generally taken from popular songs, which
audiences like and can identify with. The National Theatre
was created by law, and it at once set up three permanent
companies: the Abibigromma National Drama Group, the
National Dance Ensemble, and the National Symphony
Orchestra. There are numerous independent companies, in
Accra and the regional capitals, which generate their own
funding. One of the main ones is the Awareness Theatre
International Group. It is involved in a number of
cooperation schemes with foreign institutions in Ghana such
as the Alliance Française, the Goethe Institute and
the United States Information Services. It also runs
training activities for young performers. In the past, the
National Arts Council granted subsidies and technical
assistance for these enterprises, to encourage companies to
form and to help them increase their artistic ability.
Unfortunately this is no longer the case today. And the
business world is more interested in sport, football in
particular, than it is in artistic creativity. In these new
hard times, many performers find the plethora of video
productions, with their easier, higher wages, a more
attractive option. Overall, then, theatre has been in
something of a decline since the fall of the First Republic.
Most companies today are making do as best they can. The
uncertainty is seriously affecting performers' enthusiasm,
and the development of the performing arts. by Evans Nii Oma
Hunter, director and manager of the Ghanaian Drama
Federation
