As the festive season draws near, Lagos transforms into a bustling hub of yuletide excitement, offering an array of activities to bring Christmas joy to residents and visitors alike. Among these, Eko Hotel and Suite’s Tropical Christmas Wonderland – Prideland 3 stands out as a beacon of creativity and celebration.
On Friday, Eko Hotel hosted an exclusive screening of Theatre of Lights, unveiling snippets of two spectacular live theatre productions planned for the event, which will run from 20th December to 2nd January.
The event was graced by a distinguished audience, including Mrs Kay Ovia, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cyberspace Limited and Patron of Eko Hotel; Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President on Creativity and representative of the Honourable Minister of Tourism; Chief Mrs Nike Akande; Her Royal Highness Erelu Dosunmu; and Professors Duro Oni and Tunji Sotimirin, among others.
The preview featured excerpts from two Broadway-style musicals: The Jewel and The Return of Queen Fara. These productions, which are a thrilling mix of futurism and African tradition, are inspired by the works of literary legends – Ola Rotimi’s Our Husbands Have Gone Mad Again and Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel. Even in brief glimpses, the musicals captured the hearts of the audience as many watched enraptured, leaving them eagerly anticipating the full performances.
Adding to the spectacle was a thrilling act by the Dazzling Prideland Circus, showcasing unicyclists, daring stuntmen, fire-eaters, and acrobats, who lit up the stage with their extraordinary skills.
Dr Iyadunni Gbadebo, Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels and Suites, encapsulated the hotel’s vision in her closing remarks as she said, “We are the new oil and gas. Performing and creative arts is the next level. Nothing is going to stop us.”
In December, from the 20th, we already have 250 families coming from all over the world to experience Tropical Christmas Wonderland. Who tells me that tourism is not possible in Africa?”
“Eko Hotel will not stop investing in talent on the African continent,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Baba Agba, who praised the programme’s impact as he said, “People don’t have access to this kind of things, but pairing it with their hotel and hospitality package is giving more access. It’s also putting the location and on a stage that people can get to and is open to all, so it’s really great.”
He also highlighted the show’s impact on tourism in the country as he said, “What they’re doing by putting that together- the whole package- and marketing it out is going to attract people. Domestic tourism, also international tourism- people that are coming back for Christmas will have something to do. So, it’s very good for the eco system, it creates activities, which is what you want.”
Her Royal Highness Erelu Dosunmu gave high praise for the show’s quality, saying it is “like what you see in the streets of Paris.”
She went on to say, “Everybody who will be in Lagos over the holidays should make sure that they come to see- if not all the shows, at least quite a number of the shows. Because we’ve only seen snippets of the shows that are on, and there are up to about 6 or 8 shows and events. So, all of us should endeavour to be here.”
Professor Tunji Sotimirin highlighted the programme’s contribution to the growth of theatre, saying, “What this programme has done and is doing is to advance the course of theatre and push it beyond just people just talking about it- you know, rhetorics and all of that. The action needs to be applied, moving beyond just a few privileged people seeing theatre. Theatre should be taken to people. I think most importantly, what needs to be underlined is that financial support that it requires so that more people can see and appreciate it.”
Speaking to journalists after the programme, Dr Gbadebo assured that this year’s edition would surpass all expectations, saying, “Everything is different. Every year, we take you ten steps higher. This year, we’re taking you a hundred steps higher.”
“This year, I don’t just have a big buffet or a magic show. I have a full circus and two Broadway-style musicals inspired by literary giants. You’ve seen a glimpse of the magic; imagine the full experience. It’s the future, and the world needs to see it,” she added.
For those still deliberating, this is your sign to be part of Eko Hotel’s Tropical Christmas Wonderland. It’s a promise of unforgettable memories, unmatched performances, and a celebration of African creativity at its finest.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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