The National Theatre, Lagos is set to welcome theatre lovers, creatives, and cultural enthusiasts this May as the acclaimed stage production “I Wish, I Wish” takes centre stage as the headline performance of the 2026 May Season at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
The production is scheduled to run on May 30 at the Main Bowl of the National Theatre, marking one of the most anticipated live theatre events in Nigeria’s cultural calendar this year. The May Season is being positioned as a multi-disciplinary celebration of African storytelling, combining stage drama, animation showcases, and creative industry engagements under one umbrella programme.
A Flagship Production Anchoring the May Season
“I Wish, I Wish” is expected to serve as the flagship stage production of the May Season, anchoring a lineup designed to highlight the richness of African storytelling traditions through modern theatrical interpretation.
Organisers say the production is not only a theatrical experience but also a symbolic statement on the importance of preserving and evolving African narrative traditions in the face of global entertainment shifts.
The National Theatre’s May Season is also expected to include complementary creative showcases, including animation-focused programming, further strengthening the bridge between traditional performance arts and digital storytelling.
National Theatre Repositions for a New Creative Era
The 2026 May Season signals a broader repositioning of the National Theatre Lagos as more than just a performance venue, but as a multi-arts cultural hub supporting theatre, animation, and cross-disciplinary storytelling.
Industry observers note that the inclusion of both stage plays and animation programming reflects a growing recognition of Nigeria’s expanding creative economy, where live theatre and digital arts are increasingly intersecting.
The initiative is also seen as part of ongoing efforts to revive and modernise the National Theatre’s relevance among younger audiences while preserving its legacy as one of Africa’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
A Growing Spotlight on Nigerian Theatre Culture
Nigeria’s theatre scene has continued to experience renewed interest in recent years, driven by a combination of institutional support, private sector involvement, and a growing audience appetite for live performance arts.
The National Theatre’s May Season adds to this momentum by creating a structured platform where established and emerging creatives can present work to diverse audiences, including students, industry professionals, and international visitors.
“I Wish, I Wish” is expected to attract significant attention due to its positioning as a headline production, as well as its thematic focus on African identity, imagination, and storytelling tradition.
Beyond entertainment, the production also highlights theatre’s role as a medium for cultural dialogue and social reflection, particularly in urban creative centres like Lagos.
Lagos continues to reinforce its status as one of Africa’s most dynamic cultural cities, with increasing investment in theatre, film, music, and visual arts.
Events like the National Theatre May Season contribute to this ecosystem by providing structured platforms for live audience engagement, while also fostering collaboration between traditional stage practitioners and new media creators.
The inclusion of animation showcases alongside stage performances further signals an evolving creative landscape where multiple storytelling formats coexist and complement each other.
As preparations intensify for the May Season 2026, “I Wish, I Wish” stands out as a defining cultural moment for Nigeria’s theatre space this year.
With the National Theatre Lagos once again at the centre of a major creative gathering, the production represents both a celebration of African storytelling and a broader effort to modernise live performance culture for new audiences.
For Lagos and the wider Nigerian creative industry, this May Season is shaping up to be more than just a festival, it is a statement on the future of African theatre.