By VICTOR ADEOTI

Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Osun, has announced plans to unveil the first puppetry theatre festival, “the African Royal Cocoa Puppetry Theatre Festival” in the country.

Oba Thompson in a statement on Friday in Osogbo, said that the goal of the puppetry theatre festival was to celebrate Nigeria’s rich puppetry heritage.

The traditional ruler said that the play would be performed by his wife, Angelique-Monet Gureje-Thompson on Dec. 1 at Muson Centre, Lagos.

He explained that the theatre festival was inspired by his wife’s solo stage play, “Ventriloquist Queen: A True African Queen,” debuted at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 in Scotland, United Kingdom, the world’s largest arts festival.

Oba Thompson said it would also grow the puppetry, masquerade and marionette performers’ roles in theatre, puppet making, puppetry film and television, and fostering global recognition towards the development of the creative sector.

The traditional ruler disclosed that there was plan to establish a centre for performance and research for the continent of Africa with the headquarters in Nigeria.

He said that there would be a satellite headquarters in New York City, London, and Edinburgh, United Kingdom and satellite partnerships with Asia, and the Middle East to provide a deeper understanding of the art form to impact Africa.

“Puppetry is Nigeria’s hidden gem and indigenous not only to the Continent of Africa but with its origin in Nigeria and known for centuries way before any colonial influences, and is in fact recorded in the western world as first seen here outside of Egypt.

“Seeing African people descent are oral story tellers with a lot of history destroyed, a lot of records are not seen beyond western reports.

“These art forms are often spiritual and passed down from generation to generation.

“Our festival will celebrate the art form of African puppetry with plans for development into professional theatre infrastructures.

“The historical origin of monarchy in Africa is symbolic to creation, seen as representative of the Creator on earth and the powerful gift of imagination and creativity in our people found the essence to connect the spiritual to the physical,” he explained.

According to him, the show will feature Queen Angelique-Monet in a solo performance with puppets, singing, rapping and engaging in a three-way conversation.

“The show includes snippets of Nigerian culture and chocolate, and offers kids the opportunity to become the Cocoa Prince or Princess on stage.

“The setting for the play takes place during the annual Royal Cocoa Festival at Eti-Oni, the oldest cocoa plantation and will feature dancers, puppeteers, masquerade performers, animations and puppetry.

“King’s Royal Troupe of King’s College Lagos, Nigeria will also perform a special warrior dance, which is sentimental to His Royal Majesty as an alumnus”, he said.

The traditional said that the cultural partners include the Osun government, International Cocoa Diplomacy, Visions of Peace Initiative, and King’s Royal Troupe of King’s College Lagos. (NAN)