Sandscape, Waterside on UK, France tour

 

Sandscape, Waterside on UK, France tour

By Ozolua Uhakheme

 

One of Nigeria’s leading theatre companies, Kininso Koncepts is currently taking its twin production Sandscape and Waterside on tour of UK and France. Waterside was staged last Sunday at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool Hope University during the Angel Field Festival after successful outings in UK since February 15.  

The ongoing tour is not only engaging diverse audiences but also reinforcing the company’s mission to connect, enrich and beautify people by telling real inspiring stories.

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 at Marseille today and at Quimper from March 30 to April 2.

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. 

For Sandscape, it is an interactive production designed for children aged 2 to 7 with its immersive, sensory-driven approach that transforms 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, a Bright Generations Professional Exchange Programme in Marseille, France.

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.  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 the talented individuals such as Stanley Okeke, Angela Peters, Edgar Eriakha, Joshua Alabi for UK tour, while, Aniefiok Inyang, Bunmi Awolowo, Oloyede Aribilola, Adaeze David, Yemi Adeojo for 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, Kininso has remained Nigeria’s only 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 at UAE expanding the company’s global footprint.