Today : Mar 26, 2025
Arts & Culture
25 March 2025

Kininso Koncepts Captivates Audiences With European Theatre Tour

The Nigerian theatre company showcases innovative productions while fostering cultural connections between Africa and Europe.

As its international expansion continues, Kininso Koncepts, one of Nigeria’s leading theatre companies, is currently captivating audiences across the United Kingdom and France with two mind-blowing productions: Sandscape and Waterside. Waterside will be staged at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool Hope University, on March 23, during the Angel Field Festival after impressive shows in the UK since February 15. The current theatre tours are not only engaging diverse audiences but also reinforcing the company’s mission to connect, enrich, and beautify people by telling real inspiring stories.

By presenting these stories in both countries, Kininso Koncepts continues to bridge the gap between African and European theatre while deepening conversations about culture, history, and identity. The tour, which kicked off at Bury, spans cities like Manchester, Luton, Kent, London, Belfast, Bath, and Leeds in the UK. In France, Sandscape will be on stage in Marseille on March 25 and 26, and at Quimper from March 30 to April 2.

A key highlight of the tour is Sandscape, an interactive production designed for children aged 2-7. With its immersive, sensory-driven approach, Sandscape transforms play into a theatrical experience, engaging young audiences in a way that encourages imagination and participation. The production has received significant recognition, leading to an invitation to perform at the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2025 – Bright Generations Professional Exchange Programme in Marseille, France. This platform is dedicated to theatre for young audiences and brings together global professionals passionate about innovative storytelling for children.

While Sandscape continues to engage younger audiences, Waterside remains a deeply resonant piece that explores humanity’s spiritual connection to nature and the lasting effects of colonial exploitation. The production is known for its rich storytelling, evocative performances, and visually compelling design. As part of its European run, Waterside is set to be staged at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool Hope University, on March 23, 2025, during the Angel Field Festival.

As Sandscape and Waterside continue to move and inspire people, Kininso stays true to its mission of telling stories in bold, immersive, and thought-provoking ways. It’s not just about pushing boundaries. The tour is made possible by some talented individuals such as Stanley Okeke, Angela Peters, Edgar Eriakha, Joshua Alabi for the UK tour, while Aniefiok Inyang, Bunmi Awolowo, Oloyede Aribilola, Adaeze David, and Yemi Adeojo take charge of the France tour.

Beyond performances, Kininso Koncepts has been actively engaging with theatre practitioners, students, and industry professionals through a series of interactive workshops that accompany the UK tour. On March 4, 2025, Kininso hosted an immersive workshop at King’s College, London, led by Creative Director Joshua Alabi, which explored storytelling through innovative methods, encouraging participants to draw from their personal experiences and engage in experimental theatrical techniques. Building on this success, Kininso held another workshop, From Text to Performance, at the School of Performance and Cultural Industries (PCI), University of Leeds, on March 17. This session delved deeper into the creative journey of Waterside, offering insights into adapting African stories for international audiences while preserving their cultural authenticity and emotional depth.

Since 2015, the production firm has remained Nigeria’s dedicated touring theatre company, consistently setting the standard for international theatre engagement from Nigeria. The company has taken its work across the African continent to Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, and Senegal, bridging cultures and forging creative connections. In Europe, Kininso has previously toured Germany and the Netherlands, and this year, Waterside will be in the UAE, expanding the company’s global footprint.