Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

The performing arts offer a unique lens through which to examine Nigeria's democratic experience, capturing the emotions and physical expressions of the people. This paper explores the enduring themes of democratic experience in Nigeria through the performance of Kelechi Ogbonna’s "Women of Umu-Njam", a play, set against the backdrop of Umu-Njam's political history that evolved from a workshop experimentation. The performance offers a powerful critique of the familiar, and imaginary Umu-Njam's democratic journey, revealing recurring themes of democratic experiences. These themes convey the mold and images of humanistic temper, which are examined through a methodical performance analysis of "Women of Umu-Njam", using existentialist theory as background. The paper critically examines the intersection of existentialist philosophy and democratic experiences in Nigeria by analyzing the performance themes, characters and action. The study reveals inspiring individual and collective action towards democratic reform and accountability, thereby fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for democratic governance. The researcher suggests theatre should address current issues to challenge politicians and inform the public.

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