BY ABEBE WOLDEGIORGIS
According to studies, in Ethiopia, the first theatre was staged hundred years ago. That is in 1913. During the Emperor Haile Selassie era, a theatre wrote and prepared by Yoftahe Niguse was staged said Adafre, the performing team leader and projects coordinator in the Ethiopian National Theatre.
He further said that in the Derg era, the opening of the theatrical art department in the Addis Ababa University made theatre here knowledge-based one and till now it has continued.
As time passed, theatrical art improved both qualitatively and quantitatively. The audience’s number snowballed. Many foreign educated Ethiopian professionals joined and advanced it to a higher level.
Here in Ethiopia, theatre developed from a traditional practice into a modern one. The Theatre Department in Addis Ababa University was established by well-read and well-educated persons who had foreign exposure such as Abiye Mengistu Lema, Tsegaye Gebremedihin, Tesfaye Gessese and Abate Mekuria. They played a pivotal role in the burgeoning of theatre in its classical form.
Unlike today, during those days the theatre department only admitted 5 to 10 applicant students. The then graduates currently have become famous playwrights, performers and directors including Getnet Enyew and Adafre himself. They made a big difference in the profession.
But as to Adafre, to speak whether theatre brought its own impact on the society’s socio-economic life or not requires a thorough study. But as to his view in its 50 years long time, theatre here has not reached the required level.
In other countries, theatre plays a crucial role in ensuring social progress and economic development. It has its own target audience.
In this regard, there are two approaches in dealing with the matter. Some argue that, theatre must serve the society as a catalyst of development. Others say that theatre must be performed in art-for-art’s sake.
The Brazilian intellectual Augusto Pinochle argues that theatre must be instrumental in achieving development and in communicating with the public for social change. He asserted that theatre can bring attitudinal change on human beings and it fast track the drive towards change and such an approach has got acceptance by many countries.
Utilizing theatre for development purposes is introduced in many African countries including Ethiopia. Abate Mekuria attempted staging different performances of theatre for development.
As to Adafre, theatre by its nature is derived from human beings’ day-to-day life and nature and presented to humans in the form of art with a touch of creativity. Literature, music and paintings explain human’s life. They are derived from nature and the world and when they are put for humans’ view, they positively shape human behavior. Art is not a repetition of as usual matter rather it utilizes different approaches to catch the audiences’ attention. It shows the hidden aspect of the public way of life in a dramatic way.
In this regard, theatres staged in the past played a crucial role both in entertaining and carrying across messages to the audience. Theatre is more powerful in disseminating messages than reading books and informal discussion chewing chat or. Currently, the public is going through a hectic life. But through arts, the public easily understands the messages and relates ideas with its own experience.
In Addis Ababa and in Ethiopia at large, theatre contributes to development but its role in advocacy and community service is negligible. In our country, there is a confusion and misunderstanding among theatre professionals. Some argue that theatre serves only for entertaining purpose of the audience.
Proponents of art for the development purpose also argue that art should go beyond entertainment to redress social ills. They further argue that, in Ethiopia where social unrest and political upheavals are rampant, corruption is widespread and human value is degraded. The role of theatre should focus on advocacy work and must target bringing behavioral change.
Nevertheless, as to Adafre, though more paid very little attention, the continuation of theatre depends on the audience. Studies show that in Ethiopia there are many audiences than other African countries.
Countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria have less audience than Ethiopia. Theatres are not staged more than a week in those countries but here in Ethiopia particularly in the capital theatres are staged from 5 up to 10 years. The theatre known as “Babilon Besalon” was staged by the National Theatre for more than 14 years. This indicates how the audience has much interest in the theatre. In addition, it indicates how theatres are standardized to meet the demand of the audience and how the professionals are respected.
Previously, looking at a long queue in theater halls even in the rainy and dry seasons was common. Even when the production and release of local films reached their climax, observably theatre has more audience than films.
The audience preferred to attend theatres than films.
As to Adafre, recently, he had made a research regarding the interest of the audience. As to the study, the public is more inclined towards theatre than films. Even today, theatre houses are crowded and many audiences are unable to attend due to the absence of space.
Currently, the Ethiopian National Theatre stages two theatres per week. One is known as “Alkashina Zefagn” prepared by Adafre himself and staged on every Wednesday and the other is “Babilone Besalon” staged on Sunday. During these two days the national theatre will be crowded due to the overflow of excess audiences. Many return back for want of extra seats.
Some attend the theatres more than five times because their imaginations are caught by the stage performers.
With regard to the age variation of the audience Adafre said that, most of them are youths in the age bracket 25 to 30. People who come from states for various purposes also slot their time to attend theatres and enjoy the art. This also indicates how theatre is sought-for by a large segment of the society.
The Ethiopian Herald 27 March 2021
