Latif Abubakar premieres ‘Something must kill a man’
The first open air theatre play at the Labadi Beach Hotel is set to take place next week.
Dubbed “Something must kill a man,” it incidentally will also be the first publicised theatre event since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and consequent closure of all entertainment facilities.
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A performing act, it is held in an open air space rather than an enclosed building as in theatres.
The play seeks to demonstrate how teamwork, good communication and collaboration contribute significantly to the attainment of goals.
Something different
A Globe Productions event, the play,” the latest work of playwright Latif Abubakar, is set to thrill the audience as it would be a diversion from what he is usually known for.
Unlike his previous stage plays which focused on pressing national issues, Mr Abubakar explained that his latest play would take the approach of a training programme that centred on the attainment of project and organisational goals.
He indicated that the play would adopt an innovative practical training approach that drove the audience (trainees) through team-building activities while enabling employees to understand and appreciate the importance of teamwork in achieving the overall objectives of a project or an organisation.
The play, to be staged on September 2, 3 and 4, 2021, is in partnership with the Graphic News App and Joy Entertainment. It features actors Ecow Smith Asante, Leslie Wallace, Abraham MacPratt Dadzie and actress Sitsofe Tsikor.
Synopsis
Explaining the synopsis, the award winning playwright said the play told the story of Mr Attah who after handing over his company to his son, came back to set him up with a charming damsel, the intention for that not so clear.
“What happened from then on is revealed in ‘What must kill a man,” he said, with a wide grin on his face.
COVID-19 Protocol
Mr Abubakar mentioned that the standard COVID-19 protocol measures, including the wearing of face masks, washing of hands and the use of alcohol-based sanitiser would be strictly enforced and adhered to.
He also revealed that there would be a standby ambulance and a health desk that would attend to basic health needs, as well as a disinfection chamber for patrons to go through.
Being the pacesetter of live virtual plays with a record of 3.5million views across various social media platforms, Mr Abubakar believes storytelling and theatre could be used to achieve project and organisational goals.
"This is a creative and unique training experience that will leave an unforgettable memory on the minds of the trainees," the playwright intimated.
"A research by Forbes confirms that team-building is the most important investment you can make for your people and the most successful, memorable team-building events are the ones that don’t feel like a day at the office," he added.
Tickets, certification
Tickets for the play are on sale at GH¢80.00 single and GH¢150.00 double at the Airport Shell, Baatsona Total, Joy FM, Koala and Labadi Beach Hotel, and also via the short code *447*1092# on all networks.
Mr Abubakar said the play also offered a package that would include an optional training certificate from the New York Board of Education in the United States of America, lecture notes, cocktail and networking sessions at an extra cost of GH¢70.00 per head.
Globe Productions, previous works
As a theatre company focused on theatre for development, Globe Productions has to its credit 15 plays that have been performed 67 times across the country to an audience base of about 40,000. The strategic vision of implementing the tri- annual plays has currently made Globe the fastest growing theatre company in Ghana with the widest coverage.
Its CEO/Playwright, Mr Abubakar, gained some international recognition via an interview on BBC World Service on the topic: “Resurgence of Theatre in Africa”.
Some written and produced works by Mr Abubakar include “I can't think far”; a non-violence campaign towards the 2016 election which was sponsored by Star-Ghana, UK Aid, DANIDA and the European Union.
Also, “Saint and Sinners” which focused on galamsey and was sponsored by WaterAid Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey.
Another work that made social impact was “Men don die,” a road safety campaign sponsored by the National Road Safety Commission.
