Multimedia production approach and its implications for live theatre in nigeria: a case study of bolanle-austen peters’ production of “fela and the kalakuta queens”

Live theatre in Nigeria no longer seems to attract the patronage of the Nigerian audience, as theatre halls are increasingly becoming empty. A major reason for this phenomenon is the inability of Nigerian directors to adopt a media friendly play production approach that aligns with the present digital and technological realities of the contemporary Nigerian society. Nigerian directors are therefore challenged to adopt a media - friendly play production approach if they must win back lost theatre patrons. The foregoing is the aim of this study as this research examines the multimedia production approach and its implications for live theatre in Nigeria, using Bolanle Austen-Peters’ production of “Fela and the Kalakuta Queens” as a case study. The study employs the qualitative research method to realize set objectives, and adopts Hans-Thies Lehmann’s theory of “Postdramatic Theatre” as its theoretical framework. The study observed that the multimedia production approach has proven to be successful and profitable in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, and recommends that Nigeria directors in other cities embrace the multimedia production approach in their play interpretations.