•National Art Theatre, Lagos
The National Theatre’s Main Bowl will open on May 30, for “I Wish I Wish: Battle of The Winds,” a large-scale musical theatre production centred on African mythology, original music, and immersive stagecraft in commemoration of the 2026 Children’s Day.
Created by the children’s theatre company Proud African Roots, the production is designed for families, undergraduates, and children, and will feature two shows with a combined capacity of 6,000 seats.
Set in a fantastical world inspired by broad African storytelling traditions, I Wish I Wish follows a cast of mythical characters led by Grandma Wura, a powerful female storyteller who guides children through a battle between the forces of nature.
The production features VFX-quality makeup and costumes, an original live score, and set design that transforms the Main Bowl into a fully realised theatrical universe.
The scale of the event marks a significant milestone for children’s performing arts in Nigeria. Last year, Proud African Roots held four performances with an audience of 1,200.
This year’s production plans to fill the National Theatre’s largest performance space five times over.
The production comes at a time when discussions about children’s media and cultural identity are growing across the continent. For Proud African Roots, the goal is clear: to demonstrate that world-class children’s entertainment can be locally produced, rooted in African stories, and performed at a scale that competes with imported shows. On May 30, the National Theatre will showcase this to 6,000 young Nigerians.
Confirming the development, GM/CEO of the National Theatre (now Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts), Mrs Tola Akerele said: “When we talk about building the next generation of Nigerians who value their own culture, we have to start with the experiences we give them as children. This production represents exactly the kind of work this venue was built for.
“The National Theatre should be a place where a child walks in and discovers something about who they are and where they come from. I Wish I Wish does that with a level of ambition and craft that we are proud to be associated with. I want every parent, every school, and every child who walks through these doors on May 30 to feel that something important is happening here.”
