The success story of creative excellence in Edo State would be painfully bereft of depth without the name of one of the greatest acting directors and trainers in the world of theatre.
Most of the accomplished actors and filmmakers began with theatre on-stage, built solid careers that spanned and are still spanning over several decades.
Till today, my best advice for anyone interested in acting or in the film industry is, ‘Start with theatre’. With filmmaking, the stakes are higher and somewhat intolerant. You have to learn your lines in a matter of seconds. Money is already on the line. The pressure is tense, so tense you can carve the atmosphere with a knife.
With theatre, rehearsals are compulsory. Rehearsals are actually the performances because these intense practices – often repetitive sessions – give you the necessary confidence and grit to stand in front of an audience of hundreds of people who have bought tickets to watch you act.
The main challenge is, you actually have to know your lines, plus, a co-actor or thespian might make a blunder that the rest of the cast, if not discreet or perceptive enough, might have to pay for. Such is the challenging and exciting magic of creating the onstage magic called theatre.
When you talk of an outstanding dramatic guru, in theory and practice, you talk of the highly esteemed and world renowned Wekpe who makes it look like cakewalk. It doesn’t matter how much little talent you have – this illustrious theatre veteran and passionate educator will squeeze talent out of you. Period.
Anyway, my first encounter with this legendary world-renowned enigmatic thespian and director was in 2021.
The year before, he had directed the play written by Don Pedro Obaseki called ‘Idia’. That year he was to direct the ‘Adesuwa’ play as written by Ossa Earliece. This was a stage play adaptation of Ossa Earliece’s ‘Adesuwa’ as previously directed on screen by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen.
So the rehearsals began for the ‘Adesuwa’ play. It was gruelling and laborious but necessary – a testament to the fact that nothing beautiful comes easy in life. Eventually the event came and I personally learnt a lot from the experience.
Israel Wekpe went on to write and direct ‘What If’, a play effectively referencing the political climate of Nigeria, performed at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub.
And then ‘Oriri’. And ‘Joromi the musical’, amongst many others. Watching Wekpe at work is equivalent to watching a passionate genius creating theatrical magic right in front of your eyes.
Israel Wekpe is also behind the production design in the Kabat Esosa Egbon-directed ‘Queen of Queens’ on ROK Studios.
Theatre and stage management is a hefty responsibility because you need to engage several parts playing at once that must be brought to perfect harmony. Aside from having to manage actors, working with people can present several difficulties. A director’s job is to help his or her artists find themselves or sink themselves into a particular character in a manner that naturally resonates with the audience. But a play is live. The music must be carefully directed, and the lighting should be designed to capture the mood of each scene, enhancing the atmosphere and creating naturally emotional, compelling, and intimate moments as intended.
Israel Wekpe is an experienced director who knows how to play and work effectively because his work is playing and his playing is work. His keen eye for talent makes him an exceptional casting director. The beauty of theatre lies in its versatility. If you understand music and rhythm, you can join the orchestra; if you’re expressive, emotionally controlled, and confident, you can act. If you have a knack for bringing out the best in others, you can direct or manage the stage. Writers can craft compelling stories, business-minded individuals can sell tickets, and extroverts can thrive in publicity. Theatre offers a wide range of opportunities for growth in the creative arts.
Beyond the brilliant dramatist’s deep love for literature, Israel Wekpe is a passionate advocate for young creatives in Edo State. He tirelessly seeks out talent, championing their rise and showcasing the artistic brilliance of Edo To The World.
