Stage Play ‘High’ returns in April

Following the two-time sold-out runs of the Nigerian adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s famous play,For Colored Girls by Keke Hammond,the CEO/Founder of Rue14 Studios,the stage play High is set to return on Saturday,April 13, at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre Onikan,Lagos with actor Ade Laoye as the associate producer.

Written by Osang Abang and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the stage play features an impressive cast, which includes Najite Dede, Akah Nnani, Abayomi Alvin, Paul Adams, Bunmi Sogade, Philips Chima, Genoveva Umeh and others.

High will also will also show on Sunday, April 14, at 2 pm and 6 pm daily.

High tells the story of a group of teenage friends on holiday from their separate boarding schools. Even though they grew up together, they are at completely different places in their lives. When one of them suffers a drug overdose, it causes a major problem within the clique, forcing their parents to get involved and face the truth about their children and about themselves.

“For the first time in a long time we have a play focused on the issues teenagers face with drug abuse. It’s a play with fresh talent, it’s entertaining and I recommend it to all parents and their teenagers,” said Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju.

“This play, is a very important, innovative and creative way to educate parents and children about this drugs and substance abuse epidemic,” Lanre Olusola said.

Marcy Dolapo Oni described the production as, “A bold and spirited reference to substance abuse amongst Nigerian youth where everything is so accessible in this social media age. Entertaining and thought provoking.”

The stage play dramatises the phenomena of drug abuse and prescription medication in Nigeria and discusses a number of themes such as peer pressure, drug abuse, depression, self-esteem, sexual activity, cyber addiction, alcohol use, and body image. In Nigeria, it was reported recently that about three million codeine-containing cough preparations are consumed daily in Kano and about 6 million bottles in the Northwest; it is reported that 40% of Nigerian youths engage in drug abuse.