The return of the Broadway-style children’s musical I Wish, I Wish to the National Theatre, Lagos, on May 29 delivered a spectacular theatrical experience, imparted timeless moral lessons, and rekindled the magic of storytelling through the legendary Grandma Wura. Yinka Olatunbosun reports
For many theatre-trained children in Lagos, Grandma Wura is a familiar and beloved stage persona, a regular fixture in storytelling and children’s theatre. Recently, however, her audience expanded considerably. Judging by the demographics of those gathered at the newly refurbished Main Bowl of the National Theatre, I Wish, I Wish had become a family affair, drawing not only children but also parents, grandparents, and extended family members. As it should be.
The production’s dazzling costumes and imaginative props heightened the sense of wonder. This time, I Wish, I Wish occupied the National Theatre’s largest stage, allowing its visual ambition to unfold on an unprecedented scale.
A joint initiative of Story Theatre with Grandma Wura and the National Theatre, the production featured a full live ensemble driven largely by African instruments. Directed by Bola Edwards, who also reprised her role as Grandma Wura, the show offered premium theatrical craftsmanship, enhanced by a striking 3D projection backdrop that established each setting with remarkable clarity.
