RELIVING THE PERFORMING ARTS AS LUCRATIVE BUSINESS VENTURE

The once dormant industry of the performing arts has received a shot in the arm under the auspices of Gambian dynamic performing arts guru, Janet Badjan-Young, who has constructed a magnificent edifice first of its kind in The Gambia and second to none in the West African sub-region, if not Africa. Amat JENG reports the new development to be unveiled in two weeks’ time in the Smiling Coast of Africa.

The curators of artistic values and passions of the performing arts industry recently briefed the media in the country on the importance of performing arts as a lifeline enterprise and one of the fast growing ventures in the country.
At a meeting held at the Kanifing institutional area, opposite the Gambia Football Association House, newsmen were given some highlights on the opening of a multi-million complex designed to become the first-ever theatre house to be built in The Gambia.

A PANORAMA OF THE NEW THEATRE HOUSE

The meeting also availed journalists the opportunity to be exposed to some of the potential achievements of the performing arts as a promising business venture in the small West African state of The Gambia.
“The opening of the domed-shaped-structure is now a stunning landmark,” said Janet Badjan-Young, director of Ebunjan Performing Arts Association, an NGO committed to developing arts and culture in the country.
The arts association director says that while they are committed to building a professional theatre and training talented youths in all aspects of the performing arts - which include traditional and modern dance, drama, music and poetry, they don’t also lose sight of the fact that the social media plays an important role in promoting the performing arts industry, which looks up to the media for publicity and success.

The building, a state-of-the-art edifice, will be opened on 16 December to the public. It is a multimillion Gambian dalasi investment expected to bring into realisation the dream of the ‘Gollywood’ film industry. The building, when completed, is one of the best theatre houses in the sub-region if not in Africa.
“The theatre hopes to encourage the young and old to enjoy the artistic and cultural part of life in the country. We shall do our best to present the kinds of programmes that will be uplifting, educative, and enjoyable,” said Mrs Badjan-Young, the woman behind the construction of the magnificent edifice.
She said she has spent substantial amounts of her personal money, including gestures she receives from good Samaritans, in buying the land and constructing the building, to bring the dream to pass.
The construction of the building that can house over ten thousand people was started in 2009. The house, like other theatre houses in Africa, has multiple offices, a VIP lounge, an entrance and exit passageways for cast, a scene-view corner and other facilities.
The performing arts is one of the fastest ways of getting affluence in the world, Mrs Badjan-Young said, citing pop singer Beyonce, who came from Barbados, as one person who has benefited from similar arts.
She highlights the importance of investing in the industry, saying before Beyonce had to become what she is today, her country’s government had not in any way invested in the performing arts industry. But when she did become famous and started making money, the government jumped into the bandwagon and invested in the enterprise, she noted.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE THEATRE

Mrs Badjan-Young said that on 16 December when the theatre house will be opened “an international cocktail of food will be served,” and there will be delicacies for Indians, Moroccans, Italians, Sierra Leoneans, Chinese, Americans, Lebanese and other nationals in the country.

The UNESCO-funded ‘Chains of Inspiration’ will be presented by the Ebunjan Theatre Troupe, which has twenty young talented people who have mastered the skills of performing arts, revealed Mrs Badjan-Young.
Speaking on some of the modalities for the event, she said tickets will be made available at the ‘sales gate’ at the cost of D1,000 for the VIP balconies and D500 for the ordinary seats.
Dignitaries including President Yahya Jammeh, his wife, the Vice President and other personalities are expected to grace the occasion.