The Blind Minstrel is a site-specific theatre performance about a young blind girl who sings on the street for alms. Her songs are touching in both meaning and vocal dexterity. She is very popular with her audience. The project explores her sundry trials, betrayals and exploitation. With the aid of a female philanthropist, she eventually becomes a music star with a very financially rewarding contract. The project is experimenting with site-specific theatre for the first time ever in the city of Ibadan. This collaboration is important at this time because it discusses the girl-child marginalisation as well as discrimination against people living with disabilities. Dr. Okoye, who developed the script, sees this project as timely in addressing some of the challenges plaguing Nigerian society. It is also an excellent opportunity for the collaborators to try ‘site-specific’ theatre in Nigeria.
- INTRODUCING: The Blind Minstrel
By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe DR CHUKWUMA OKOYE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN COLLABORATES WITH TWO OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS ON “THE BLIND MINSTREL” PROJECT FOR THE AHSCE, LAGOS HUB Dr. Chukwuma Okoye’s face glows with warmth as he grants the interview on “The Blind Minstrel” project. The reason for the warm glow is not far-fetched:…