Stage production is like an addiction Says Jolomi Juliet Okoturo

STAGE PRODUCTION IS LIKE AN ADDICTION SAYS JOLOMI JULIET OKOTURO

E.P : Can we know you, and some productions you have done?

Ans: I am Jolomi  Juliet Okoturo ,am an actress. I have done a couple of films, stage 

 plays and some radio Jobs.

My First film was a minor role, it made me get interested in theatre, I just walk to them where they were shooting a film. I was the first person to be given a role although it was a minor role. That was “Masterstroke” directed by Lancelot Imaseun Odua . After that, I registered with AGN . I have done a couple of films e.g“ Eternal” “Descendants of Jezebel”, “Sensen” a language film in ITSEKIRI. It won an award in 2008/ 2009, I also did some stage plays e.g. “A man of all season” “Nigeria the beautiful”. “The Black Hermit”, I have also done some Etisalat jobs.

 

E.P: What is your reaction to the decline in stage production and it’s revival now?

Ans: The fact is that, stage production takes a lot of dedication especially constant rehearsals; there is no doubt about it. There is a lot that a stage plays takes than the normal film, people these days prefer to stay at home and watch films than go to the theatre.  So the theatre going cultures that are used to then is not there. People would rather buy pirated copies for N200 or N150 .they would feel like by the time I pay 1000 for stage production, I could use that amount to buy a couple of home videos, so it is so discouraging. Apart from constant rehearsals, you need a place to rehearse. There are some people that prefer stage like me; I love stage production, although from personal gravitation you say I want to do the stage production but when you look at the cost. By the time you calculate the rehearsals and what you are paid then you would know it takes a lot , people who do the movies get known, get paid and leave.

If you love stage production, you keep coming back, its like an addiction, to get sponsorship for stage production is a difficult part of it, companies place adverts in newspaper due to its wider reach, unlike placing adverts for stage production at the end of the day, the hall would have about 1,000 or 2,000 people and the hall will not be filled up by the audience. There is a dearth of sponsorship, so these tends to drive back stage production because you always think  of how to break even, you want to revive it yet you still want to break even- you have bills to pay  thank God that artist are trying to revive it.

E.P :  What are you doing presently?                                                

Ans: Presently nothing for the moment , i just came in this morning from an mnet audition, I was there this morning , some people came for as early as 3am , I got there some  minutes past seven and my number was 200 and something.

E.P: The Competition is very high?

Ans: Yes you can imagine, you know mnet is an international organization and it has a wider reach. People want to do mnet productions; in fact people came from outside Lagos for the audition.

E.P: Career wise where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Ans:   (Laughs) five years time, I see a child of five years say I know that person, oh I want to be like this person, I see myself in a situation where am not talking of been a public figure but a role model , not only kids would say I like Jolomi , she is like this, and I would be able to say oh I have gathered a couple of awards both locally and internationally .

God called me to make people laugh says Baba Ijesha

INTERVIEW WITH POPULAR YORUBA COMEDIAN , MASTER OF CEREMONY AND PRODUCER MR JAMES OLANREWAJU OMIYINKA (BABA IJESHA) WHO SPOKE TO US FROM THE LOCATION OF HIS NEW FILM IN LONDON.

The highly humble and religious comedian was at his best.
 

E.P:  How did you develop the interest for Comedy?

Ans: It is God, anyway one cannot develop the talent except through God, that is my calling right from my youthful days when  I talk, people like it, everything one does, it start from the beginning and that what God called me to  make people laugh.

E.P: Which film brought you to the time light?

Ans: Pertaining to that one, anyway when one get to the area of development, it is God that will open the door .we have seen somebody acting in 200 films, he starred in it without been noticed. It is people that I went through (don’t misunderstand me)  but it is God that used me it is God that show me to people (Viewers), so Glory be to God , it is him that showed me up even before I met you, it is written that I will meet you..

E.P:  Can you tell us some films you have taken part in?

Ans: For movies that I have been invited to appear in, it is many but for those I directed myself, we have “ArogboSogeri”, “Dangote”, “SoAgbadiwere”, “IyawoGbajumo” also the one I did with multichioce “Vigilante” I don’t struggle to appear in many films but at least the ones that are purposeful. If ones teeth are not more than two , it should be strong enough to be able to eat meat with. I used to think before writing my films “So Agbadiwere” taught people good lesson on morals and other Sundrys  lesson , I won an award with it. Likewise “ArugboSogeri” which make the marketer to give me good money three times after our agreed terms,  it is still selling Just like the film am currently producing  now  in London, which is why I am here titled “ JogunJogboun” even “Mr Jona” which is in English and Yoruba.      

E.P: How did you get the different endorsement that you are involved in like the trophy advert and others?

Ans: Entertainment Parrot, it is God, the endorsement was not my making, I didn’t fight for it, I didn’t even expect it but it is God and I thank Ojaja the 2 , The Onirisa of Ile ife his royal majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi who is my brother even before he mounted the throne , I have known him. It is the Onirisa  I went to greet, there was a programme he did two years ago and it was at that performance that the brand manager of Trophy who ask me some of the works that I have done and gave me the trophy advert both on radio , on net and on Television.

E:P: Tell us why you decided to go the university to study?

Ans: I believe that it is not good for somebody not to go to school because I am from a struggling family. It is highly important to have a good education.  I am  at the university of Lagos and my course of study is creative arts , am in 400 level.  We are doing it gently and I enjoy the school and the environment like this country I am in. Now it is not my country, I enter Britain from Canada to spend my holiday and record my film, it is not my doing but it is God.

E.P: what is your message to your fans?

Ans: My message to my fans is that I will not disappoint them right, I promise to continue to behave well and for them to continue to give me the necessary support. Like if there are occasions where I could do the work of M.C for them or they want to advertise their products or services and in movies that I appear in for them to continue patronize me.

I promise I will not disappoint them, likewise I recommend this website www.entertainmentparrort.blogspot.com to arts lovers because I know the stuff you are made of. The website don’t gossip just interviews and event coverage.

Thank you, I remain Baba Ijesha .

The Most Versatile Comedian, God Bless You.

NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO OUR HIGHLY ESTEEMED READERS AND GUEST ON THIS PLATFORM

NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO OUR HIGHLY ESTEEMED READERS AND GUEST ON THIS PLATFORM

We thank you most sincerely for your love and patience in reading some of our interviews and event coverage in spite of our numerous short comings on this site that is basically devoted to the arts. It has also been a veritable avenue to showcase some arts personalities that we are involved in bringing to the media and world attention.

To our highly respected guest on this platform who have always honored us by granting interviews and allowing us to cover their events with dignity and respect.

Theatre icon, culture advocate and writer. Chief Dejumo Lewis (Oloja of Village Headmaster) Mr. Fidelis Dukar, Creator of Abuja Film Festival and reknown film producer. Chief Segun Remi- Veteran Yoruba Theatre Personality, Mr. James Olukayode Olaseinde (Pa James of Ikebe super T.V Series) Mr. Yemi Solade, Famous Crossover Theatre Veteran, who celebrated 40yrs on stage in 2017. Mr. Toyin Oshinaike aka Bakabula- A great role interpreter and total artist. Mrs Edith Amatotsero (Swanta’s Grandmother in Opa Williams T.V Soap Opera” Just The Two of Us”, Miss Yvonne Enakhena-Actress, Dancer and Producer, Miss Jolomi Okoturo – Actress, Famous comedian, master of ceremony and OAP, Mr. Thompson Amaefula aka Mc. Hold something, popular Yoruba comedian and producer, Mr. Lanre Omiyinka (Baba Ijesha). Ijodoee Dance- Ambassador Adedayo. M. Laidi current president. Guild of Nigeria Dancers, Afrobeat Topshot Edaoto, Mr. Blessed Adje Mudiaga-Master of Creative writing and a great advocate of education as a great weapon against poverty. He inspires us a lot on this platform.

Equally Taraba State based juju Apostle and fellow ex-pasite of the University of Ilorin.

Mr. Micheal Olusegun Alao J.P. aka Segun Melody maker. Famous Lagos based Gospel innovator Mr. Imole Imisi oluwa, Mr. Mathieu Isna, Miss Swala Emati Smith and Miss Mary May all of Paris Based Music Group-Po-Boy. We will continue to cherish their love and communication with us about Nigeria and the arts circle.

Female talking drummer- Miss Ayanbukola Oniganganara

Upcoming hip-hop band – The Cool Bliss, Mr. Kehinde Durojaiye Obasanjo. The inventor of various amphibious cars in Lagos. Mr. Femi Aremu (Fm) A great Painter. The management of Kalakuta Museum, the dynamic Organizers of Felabration including the Fela Debates.

The committee for Relevant Arts especially Mr. Jahman Anikulapo and Mr. Toyin Akinosho The management of Freedom Park Lagos The management of Goethe institute Lagos. We can’t forget the Laudable roles of other friendly, dependable and responsive platforms where our massages are also viewed.

We welcome you to 2018 with  this words

Sosongo,                                            Merci

Asante                                                Grazie,

Dalu                                                    Musuph

Esee                                                    Gracia

Mugode

This year those who mock you in the past shall celebrate with you in Jesus Name                                    

God Bless You Abundantly.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPOINT ART PRACTITONERS TO RUN THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND SEE IF THEY WON’T MAKE MONEY

GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPOINT ART PRACTITIONERS TO RUN THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND SEE IF THEY WON’T MAKE MONEY

  ENTERTAINMENT PARROT INTERVIEW WITH MRS EDITH  AMATOTSERO (Swanta’s Grandmother in Opa Williams Play “Just the two of us”

E.P :  Can you introduce yourself ?

Ans: I am Edith Amatotsero

 

E.P.  Tell us some production that you have taken part in?

Ans: I was in Memorial Hospital on NTA , Cradle, Equally Zeb Ejiro Ripples, Opa Williams “ Just the two of us” ( where I played grandma to Swanta). Jimmy Jay on mnet where I played Iya Francis.

E.P.  The passion for acting and your long association with the profession, what is your impression of it these days?

Ans: The way we joined then from secondary school due to the passion for it sometimes not because of the money. In does days, you work and don’t get paid sometimes but because of the passion for it we still continue with it, but these days, people just want the glamour and money in it , no passion at all. I was at an mnet audition this morning, the audition was to start at 8:am people were there for as early as 4:00am, some have to sleep over there , even people came from outside lagos. Some  just want to show themselves, but for some of us , the passion for acting is there, we are still there, we are not discouraged. The money is there, some are making it, some are not making it.  We are still there even on stage. In those days, they were paying nothing but nowadays, people have become millionaire. The people that make it just get there by chance. The stage production is strenuous but the movie production are less cumbersome but movie is fast money.

 

E.P : In stage production there is a revival now by people like you, what is your comment on this?

Ans: Stage production is interesting like I use to say, If am forgotten on stage am dead because stage is it. Am happy it is been revived in places like terra kulture muson centre and here we have D park theatre at the freedom park and in other places, we also have the Guerrilla theatre where you see people performing on the street.

E.P:  The government attitude towards the art industry, what is your reaction to it?

Ans: It is just that they don’t know if they know that they don’t have to dig the ground like the crude oil, and refine it. It is just there for us to have. It is equally sad that there would bring somebody that don’t have anything, to do with the arts into management of a sensitive and art oriented position like the national art theatre that is why they want to sell the national theatre because they don’t know it’s importance.  When you go to stage a play their, after paying, they required money or fees for space , they will expect you to bribe the engineer, buy your own fuel to power the light, no concession at all, we are the one bringing the end product and once it is getting near their agreed time, they will off the light. What the government should do is to appoint real practitioners to manage the national theatre and see if they won’t make money, how can they use an art theatre to host an A.G.M meetings or religious programs. Look at the superb administration of terra kulture , the whole place is fully booked for the whole year due to purposeful and art friendly management by Mrs. Bolanle Austen Peters and her team likewise the muson centre.

 

E.P.: How did you get involved in Opa Williams Production of “Just the two of us”?

Ans: I was invited by Opa Williams himself to take part in the program.

E.P.: (Cut in)  How is Swanta?

Ans: She is at the University of Lagos, she is in her final year.

E.P: What is your reaction to the Present crops of Artist in the Industry?

Ans: Some of them cannot interpret the script given them properly, we watch some films, the interpretation is not good and it is just blank. You know we have some people looking for glamorous girls, it is that glamour they want to show but they have forgotten the script.

E.P.: How lucrative is the profession?

Ans: It is very lucrative, we have a wide field, if it is not lucrative, my son won’t be there. I have a son who studied architecture but he is strong in theatre so if it is not lucrative, I won’t encourage him.

E.P: Thank you very much.

Ans: It’s my pleasure.