"The Lost Fishermen" will be back soon

Accra, April 11, GNA - Officials of the Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) and journalists were on Monday evening entertained to a drama choreographing the tribulations of an imaginary group of fishermen at sea because they disobeyed the sea god.

The drama heralded the presentation of ATL wax prints to the Akra Kushite drama group to be used as costumes for their performances. The story set in a rural fishing community involved Kotey, the eldest son of king Ataa Amasa, persuading his father and fishermen to go to sea on Tuesday, a day reserved for worshipping the sea gods, thereby incurring the anger of the gods.

Kotey, after drinking water reserved in a gourd, falsely accused his younger brother Ashie, of drinking the water, an act considered treasonable in the eyes of the sea gods.

To appease the gods, Ashie was sacrificed while Kotey, who drank the water happily lived seemingly successfully in his endeavours. The play 'The Lost Fishermen', written by Saka Acquaye in 1964, featured renowned and new actors. It was directed by Nii Addokwei Moffat and formed part of preparations by the group towards the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana in March next year.

It was re-enacted by the Akra Kushite Production, a drama group based in Accra.

The drama spanned all concepts of life, blending vocal, poetry, choral drama, dance and orchestra music that exposed all aspect of the Ghanaian culture.

"The story offers thrills and frills of folk opera," Mr Moffat said and urged Ghanaians to patronize its re-introduction to the Ghanaian theatre scene later this year.

In 1986, the play reportedly attracted the largest number of audience anytime it was performed.

Mr Samuel Hemans Arday, Assistant Marketing Manager of ATL, who presented the wax prints to the group, said he enjoyed every bit of the drama, which showcased the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage. "The chorus blended nicely in many parts and the cast really exhibited their professional skills," he said. He expressed the hope that ATL's support will greatly contribute to making the final part of the production successful.