We once performed before empty chairs – Playwright Kobina Ansah

HIS plays are so well attended these days that it is hard to believe playwright and CEO of Scribe Productions, Kobina Ansah, and his team once virtually performed before empty seats when he started theatre productions a decade ago.

Patronage was abysmally low that the cast literally staged the play in a near-empty auditorium on that day.

Sharing the disappointing experience in an interview with Graphic Showbiz on the sidelines of the launch of Scribe Productions 10th anniversary held at LIC Auditorium of University of Ghana, Legon, recently, Ansah said he was besides himself with sadness on that day.

But he is excited people are now abreast of the relevance of theatre and patronise them.
“Among its many benefits, theatre is a place where minds are changed. It also serves as a therapy for many. It relieves people of stress and kills depression. We cannot underestimate the impact of theatre on Ghana but unfortunately, it appears its positives are not trumpeted enough.
“However, times are changing and I’m glad theatre is getting attention. My plays have been recording huge patronage and that is very encouraging,” he stated.

Kobina Ansah also revealed his passion for using theatre as a tool for social commentary and change.

According to him, his plays are deliberately crafted to tackle pressing social issues that resonate with Ghanaians from all walks of life.
“The kind of plays I write often touch on social issues. Through these plays, I tackle very pertinent and relatable issues common to all Ghanaians. I believe in resetting the mindset of the Ghanaian through storytelling on stage,” he said.

As part of its strategic expansion, Kobina disclosed Scribe Productions aimed at leveraging its expertise in storytelling and content creation to produce high-quality films that showcase African talent and perspectives.

 “We are looking at expanding our scope into filmmaking. The next decade of Scribe Productions is full of exciting moments,” he said.

Over the years, Kobina Ansah has captivated theatre lovers with plays such as The Boy Called A Girl, Once Upon A Riddle, In The Pants of A Woman and Emergency Wedding among others.

As part of its 10th-anniversary celebrations, Scribe Productions is set to stage a new play, The Saint in the Devil’s Shoes on Saturday, April 18 and 19 respectively.

According to Ansah, the play explores corruption in an original musical format. “What makes it unique is that it will be a one-character play, with a single actor telling the entire story.

“At Scribe Productions, we want to tell relevant stories that change our perspectives about life. Gradually, we are hoping to change society one play at a time,” Kobina Ansah added.