Theatre practice and economic recession in Nigeria: The Jos Repertory Theatre (JRT) example

Abstract

Economic recession, which narrows human priorities to the basic needs of life, portends shortfalls to arts and entertainments, including theatre practice.  This is an analytical study of the performance practice of the Jos Repertory Theatre (JRT) that sustains her annual Jos Festival of Theatre amidst the 2016  economic recession in Nigeria. It evaluates the JRT minimalist performance approach adopted in the just concluded 10th edition of Jos Festival of Theatre,  against the odds of harsh economic conditions. Among other performances, the study focuses on the performance of Akolo James Anthony’s  “Late Pam”, and examines its minimalist characteristics of the performance as paradigms for sustaining theatre practice in harsh economic conditions.  The study relies on participant observation and in-depth interview as primary sources of data. Among other things, it reveals that the minimalist  approach, which deploys alternatives to realistic exactness, and simplifies production complexities, is a genuine means for achieving cost effectiveness in  the theatre practice. The study hereby recommends that the minimalist approach to drama performance is an innovative strategy for surviving economic  recession.