There is no stopping the train of Thespian Theatre’s pro-environment varsity drama train as it has straddled the University of Port Harcourt with a bang.
If there is any state in Nigeria that needs the message of environmental safety and climate change mostly, it might just be Rivers State, where the university is domiciled. The reason is that, as the seat of oil companies and host of notable rivers, it is prone to degradation. When Thespian Family Theatre & Productions thus recently berthed at the University of Port Harcourt, with a message of renewal for the environment, it was just at the right place at the right time.
The Ayo Jaiyesimi-founded group had inspired the ivory tower’s drama students to stage ‘The Flood’s Fury’, a one-act drama explores the catastrophic impact of flood on a fishing port community of the Niger Delta region. The fisherman (central character) recounts the horrific events that unfolded as the flood strikes without warning, destroying homes, livelihoods, and lives.
According to Jaiyesimi, the show, which attracted a large audience especially from among the school community, is part of the Komuniti Theatre Project through which Thespian is advocating for the protection of the environment. It has, since about two months ago, been touring universities in different parts of the country, sensitising them on the hard reality of climate change and dangers of pollution. The Komuniti project has been to other varsities that include Bowen University, Iwo, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, while it will be at the Lagos State University, Ojo, this September.
‘The Flood’s Fury’ perfectly fits into the project as it dwells on a menace that the nation dare not ignore: flooding. In the play, the fisherman describes the power and fury of the rising waters, which seem to have a life of their own as they sweep away everything in their path. He reflects on the fragility of human existence in the face of nature’s wrath, and how the community is unprepared and powerless to stop the destruction.
The producers add that the play also highlights the role of human actions and negligence in contributing to the disaster. The fisherman talks about how the community has disrupted the natural balance of the river through unsustainable development and environmental degradation, setting the stage for the catastrophic flood.
As the flood rages, the play depicts the chaos, panic, and personal tragedies that unfold, including the drowning of the fisherman’s own family. The aftermath is described, with the community left to grapple with the immense loss, trauma, and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
Ultimately, the play serves as a cautionary tale, urging the audience to heed the lessons of the flood and take action to mitigate the risks of such disasters in the future. The fisherman’s story underscores the need for better environmental stewardship, disaster preparedness, and a deeper respect for the power and unpredictability of nature.
