New World Nigeria at Nigeria House kicks off
New World Nigeria at Nigeria House kicks off with 30 Nigeria House project in collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East, and a series of public concerts featuring top Nigerian performers
Theatre Royal Stratford East in collaboration with New World Nigeria are delighted to announce the 30 artists selected to take part in
30 Nigeria House, a search for original creative work from young artists of Nigerian heritage. The project is part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.
Some of Nigeria's most acclaimed musicians will be performing as Nigeria House opens this weekend including King Sunny Ade, Seun Kuti, Asa, Wande Cole, Tiwa Savage and Choc Boiz. The opening concert on Saturday 21 July features Wizboyy, Waje and Tuface.
This groundbreaking and exciting new project is one of the outcomes of Nigeria's Hospitality House (
Nigeria House) hosted by Theatre Royal Stratford East, during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Nigeria House is the platform for a sport and cultural exchange, an integral part of the New World Nigeria outreach programme, which aims to promote Nigerian investment, business and cultural dialogue with international counterparts. Key performances across a range of musical artists, theatrical plays, poetry and cultural development programmes are being showcased. For more information visit www.nigeriahouse2012.com.
30 Nigeria House
is a legacy project and the 30 artists have been awarded up to £3,000 to develop their work, providing significant investment in emerging talents.
The winners reflect an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists including Holby City and Rev (BBC) television star
Jimmy Akingbola; Nkechi Anenyeonu, a 35 year old dancer who has worked with Hugh Masakela and Femi Kuti (Son of the legendary Fela); O-T and Oladapo Fagbenle - two brothers known for directing music videos, acting and writing in the UK, Nigeria and the USA. . O-T is best known for starring in the BBC's Material Girl and their family also includes a sister who is currently making a bid to represent the UK in basketball during London 2012; Martina Isibor who recently starred in the West End hit Thriller; Chioma Onyenwe is one to watch as an emerging film maker; Soji Ogunnaike, who has edited and technically directed several reality television shows in Nigeria including Big Brother and last year won Best Landscape Picture at the Nigeria Photography Awards. And Lizzy Dijeh, a former member of the Royal Court Youth Writer's Programme, her play High Life debuted at Hampstead Theatre.
In the final selection there are 23 applicants from the UK and 7 from Nigeria with an age range of 18- 35 and include:
Africa Ukoh, Andy Amadi, Ann Akin, Annabel Sowemimo, Christina Adeola Oshunniyi, Damilola Fashola, Debo Amon, Elizabeth Adeola Ayoola, Femi Amogunla, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Irenosen Okajie, Jacklyn Adeniji-Williams, Joy Gharoro-Akpojutor, Nikky Norton, Nwando Ebizie, Ola Masha, Olorufemi Fagunwa, Olu Yomi Ososany, Stella Odunlami, Tosin Otudeko and Ubong Anyang. All the award-winning entries can be seen at www.stratfordeast.com/30-nigeria-house and a full souvenir programme will be available.
Artistic Director Kerry Michael
says: 'we have been excited by the incredibly high standard of talent we received from emerging artists across the UK and Nigeria and we are committed to supporting these artists in the long-term development of their work.'
The prestigious judges who were part of the selection process comprised
Femi Elufowojo Jnr, Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and founder of Tiata Fahodzi; Ifeoma Fafunwa, a highly-respected theatre director in the US and Nigeria (Engagement, Not My Affair and Vagina Monologues) and active in the developing young Nigerian female writers; Nike Jonah, Project Manager at Arts Council England for decibel, named as one of the top 50 female leaders by the Cultural Leadership Programme; Olu Jacobs, an acclaimed actor, writer, director and producer and an alumnus of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Tokunbo Chiedu, CEO of Compass Consulting, an organisation specialising in developing and managing public-private sector partnerships; Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye an actress whose credits include Wetin Dey and Story Story for the BBC; and Award winning director, Kerry Michael, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East who created this initiative.
The judges looked across various art forms including theatre, dance, film animation, poetry, spoken word and music and focused on new, emerging and existing artists and their work.
This ground-breaking and exciting new project is one of the outcomes of Theatre Royal Stratford East hosting Nigeria's Hospitality House (
Nigeria House) during the London 2012 Olympic Games. 30 Nigeria House also reflects Nigeria's recognition of its talented people and aspirations to develop the Creative Industries in Nigeria, which are strongly emerging sectors. The Federal Government of Nigeria therefore, through one of its key development agencies, has developed an artistic collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East.
This new project aims to assist 30 artists in developing a new piece of work through an award of £3,000 each; an example of continued commitment to new writing and new artists by Theatre Royal Stratford East and Nigeria. The 30 artists will attend the launch of the Nigeria Hospitality House (
Nigeria House) for the London 2012 Olympic Games and 8 of these artists will participate in an event to share their work as part of Nigeria House, which is located at the theatre in August.
Mr Waheed Olagunju, spokesman for New World Nigeria, said:
'We are delighted to be working with Theatre Royal Stratford East to realise our vision of bringing Nigerian culture to the world. Nigeria has a proud cultural history and we are thrilled to have found the next generation's most promising artists.'
- FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION -
30 Nigeria House
Contact Kim Morgan PR on 07939 591 403 email [email protected] or [email protected]
New World Nigeria at Nigeria House
Contact Charles Walker email [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About New World Nigeria
New World Nigeria is an initiative to share the diversity and vibrancy of Nigeria, to promote investment and business opportunity. The London programme is the culmination of three key interventions, designed to celebrate sporting and cultural prowess, demonstrate investment potential and develop business linkages:
- The vibrancy and excellence of Nigeria's Sporting and Cultural Life is combined with a market exhibition of diverse Nigerian products, brought to life at the venue for Nigeria House; the Theatre Royal, Stratford East.
- The Business and Investment Summit In London acts as a platform for global investors and stakeholders to explore the Nigerian opportunity, specifically the diverse sectors of New World Nigeria and the key investment opportunities it represents.
- In collaboration with Surrey County and the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, the business conference showcases the produce and business opportunities of Nigerian SMEs, in an exhibition forum which includes opportunities for networking and a dedicated cultural showcase.
For more information on Nigeria's outward mission and events this summer visit www.newworldnigeria.com
About the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Spread over four years, it is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.
The culmination of the Cultural Olympiad is the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK, running from Midsummers Day on 21 June until the final day of the Paralympic Games on 9 September 2012.The London 2012 Festival celebrates the huge range, quality and accessibility of the UK's world-class culture including dance, music, theatre, the visual arts, fashion, film, comedy and digital innovation, giving the opportunity for people across the UK to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Principal funders of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival are Arts Council England, Legacy Trust UK and the Olympic Lottery Distributor. BP and BT are Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival. For more details on the programme, to download the London 2012 Festival official guide and to sign up for information visit www.london2012.com/festival
About Theatre Royal Stratford East
In the momentous summer of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Theatre Royal Stratford East presents a season of groundbreaking new projects. The programme has a local, national, and international reach and boasts a range of internationally renowned partners. Stratford East's work will be part of the London 2012Festival, CREATE, BT River of Music, and World Stages London.
www.stratfordeast.com
Box Office 020 8534 0310 / www.facebook.com/stratfordeast
About the
Nigerian Hospitality House (Nigeria House) Programme
OPENING FRIDAY 20 JULY
Africa's most dynamic country is brought to life at Nigeria House, Theatre Royal Stratford East, London, E15 1BN
.
New World Nigeria celebrates a year of outstanding achievement with an exchange which combines the energy of Nigerian Sport and Culture with distinctive Nigerian products.
The programme includes a series of major music events (featuring artists such as King Sunny Ade, Tiwa Savage, Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 Band) plays & poetry, fashion and film.
www.nigeriahouse2012.com
Box Office 020 8 2791177
Also supporting this event is the Chairman of canuk Chief Bimbo Roberts Folayan
Broadcast by Theodora pr, Media & Consultancy. 07943823292