Featuring Emmanuel Okocha, Executive Producer, Instinct Pictures
At the heart of Lagos Fringe lies a powerful truth: our stories matter. For theatre-maker Emmanuel Okocha, that truth began on church stages and matured into global platforms. As the founder of Instinct Pictures, Emmanuel has used the Lagos Fringe stage as both a launchpad and laboratory where daring stories are born and shaped for the world.
In this exclusive Spotlight Series interview, Emmanuel shares his journey from Lagos to Brighton and now Philadelphia, the impact of Lagos Fringe on his work, and why mental health, identity, and cultural tension sit at the core of his storytelling. With multiple projects premiering at Lagos Fringe before touring internationally, his story is a testament to the festival’s role in shaping bold African narratives with global resonance.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background. Where did your journey as a storyteller begin, and how did that path lead to founding Instinct Pictures?
Emmanuel: My journey in theatre began as a child, performing church dramas — often playing Jesus or Joseph. Those early roles ignited something in me: a deep belief that storytelling could heal, challenge, and connect. I later joined Gloria Young’s drama group, performing in African classics like The Lion and the Jewel, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead. Those formative years shaped me into the artist and cultural advocate I am today.
As my craft evolved, I transitioned from performer to producer and director — eventually founding Instinct Pictures to create theatre that is intimate, honest, and reflective. Our work explores identity, race, mental health, and cultural conflict, often through minimalist staging and emotionally charged performances. I believe theatre should be a mirror… and sometimes, a wound.
Mental health is central to our storytelling. From Shadows, a one-man play about male abuse and depression, and Sour Grapes, which tackles postpartum depression, are examples of how we open difficult conversations through performance. These aren’t just plays, they are interventions.
With Instinct Pictures, I have had the privilege of taking these stories beyond borders — from Lagos Fringe to Brighton Fringe, Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Clapham Fringe, and more. We are proud to be the first Nigerian company to perform at Brighton Fringe three years in a row.
Today, our flagship show A Palm Tree in London continues that mission. It’s a two-hander that explores racial and cultural identity with subtle humor and emotional depth. It’s now touring internationally — but its roots, like all our work, trace back to Lagos.
Q: Your project(s) have been staged multiple times at Lagos Fringe. How has your experience with the festival evolved over the years?
Emmanuel: Lagos Fringe is home to me. It is more than just a festival; it’s the creative ground where I premiere all my projects before taking them to the world. Every major work I’ve produced through Instinct Pictures has first come to life on the Lagos Fringe stage, and that foundation has been instrumental in shaping my growth as a producer.
Over the years, the festival has given me incredible exposure, helped me connect with fellow creatives, and most importantly, provided a platform to engage with global audiences and curators. It is a space that values authenticity and innovation, which aligns deeply with the kind of stories we tell.
One of the most pivotal moments in my career happened at a Festival Connect session at Lagos Fringe, where I met Julian Caddy, the then-Festival Director of Brighton Fringe. That encounter opened the door for what has now become a lasting relationship with the UK fringe scene. Since then, we have gone on to showcase our work at Brighton Fringe multiple times.
Lagos Fringe remains my artistic launchpad—where stories begin, relationships are built, and dreams are set into motion. I owe much of my international success to the platform and the incredible team behind it.
Q: What makes this project(s) special for you, and how does it stand apart from your other works?
Emmanuel: Like I mentioned earlier, Lagos Fringe is my launchpad, and that’s why my latest project, Colors, is so special to me. It is currently in development at the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025, before moving to international platforms, similar to its predecessor, A Palm Tree in London.
“Colors” is the sequel to “A Palm Tree in London,” written by Chris Iheuwa, a brilliant mind I have had the pleasure of working with over time. This sequel builds on themes of race and identity, delving deeper into the emotional complexities of racism. It explores the silent, often unspoken layers of racism that are embedded in everyday interactions and environments, encouraging reflection, discomfort, and empathy.
Unlike Palm Tree, which was more direct, Colors is subtler, softer but no less powerful. It is layered with comic relief, emotional truth, and quiet moments of self-awareness. It isn’t just a sequel; it is an evolution of our voice and vision.
Q: Tell us about the journey beyond Lagos Fringe. What other platforms have this project(s) reached, and how has that shaped your growth?
Emmanuel: The journey beyond Lagos Fringe has been both humbling and inspiring. Every project we have premiered at Lagos Fringe, has gone on to achieve remarkable milestones on international stages, and that speaks volumes about the power of starting at home with authenticity.
After its premiere, A Palm Tree in London toured some of the most respected fringe festivals in the world. We’ve showcased it at the Brighton Fringe and other cities. Each of these platforms gave us access to diverse audiences, critical conversations, and a chance to represent Nigerian theatre on a global level. These experiences have significantly expanded our visibility, professional network, and creative growth, proving that African stories told with honesty can resonate universally.
Now, we are excited to be slated to perform at BAFTA, Bradford, UK, and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in Pennsylvania, USA. From September 4th to 8th, 2025, we will be staging the production at the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake.
This upcoming performance marks yet another major step in our journey, bringing our work to a North American audience for the first time. Being part of the Philadelphia Fringe is especially meaningful—it’s a dynamic platform that values bold, thought-provoking work, and we are honoured to be included.
Each new stage we perform on continues to affirm that our stories matter. Starting from Lagos, carrying our voice to the UK, and now the US, this journey has been about more than just performances—it’s been about building cultural bridges, fostering dialogue, and pushing Nigerian theatre into the international spotlight.
Q: In your view, what role does Lagos Fringe play in nurturing stories that go the distance?
Emmanuel: In my view, Lagos Fringe plays a pivotal role in nurturing stories that travel far—both across Africa and onto the global stage. It’s more than just a festival; it’s a creative incubator where bold, relevant, and deeply African stories are given the space to breathe, grow, and connect.
For me and many others, Lagos Fringe is where raw ideas are shaped into fully formed productions. It offers a rare blend of artistic freedom, cultural relevance, and professional exposure. The festival doesn’t just give you a stage, it gives you a community, a network, and the confidence to believe your story is worth telling anywhere in the world.
Lagos Fringe understands the importance of African narratives told by African voices. It encourages experimentation, supports new talents, and fosters collaboration across disciplines and borders. I owe much of my international success to the foundation laid at this festival. It was during a Lagos Fringe Festival Connect session that I met Julian Caddy, then Director of the Brighton Fringe, and that single meeting opened the door to multiple performances abroad—including the UK, Canada, and now the US.
By providing this kind of platform, Lagos Fringe is not only shaping the next generation of African theatre-makers but also ensuring that our stories are not confined to our shores. It proves that a play born in Lagos can move hearts in London, Toronto, or Philadelphia. It’s a festival that plants the seed and nurtures it until it blossoms on the world stage.
Q: How do you stay creatively grounded or inspired between festivals and performances?
Emmanuel: For me, staying creatively grounded between festivals and performances is all about remaining connected to real life and to the core of why I tell stories in the first place. Theatre, for me, isn’t just about the spotlight; it’s about reflection, healing, and truth. So, when I’m not actively touring or performing, I return to the quiet spaces that inspire me.
I find deep inspiration in everyday human experiences—in conversations, in silence, in nature, and in stillness. I spend a lot of time researching, which has become a kind of escape and creative ritual for me. Whether it’s diving into social themes, exploring history, or just observing human behaviour, that research often plants the seeds for new work.
Ultimately, staying grounded means living life fully and truthfully. That’s where the stories come from. The stage is only one part of the journey—the soul of the story is found in the life we live offstage.
What would you say to a cultural curator or audience member encountering your work for the first time?
Emmanuel: Welcome. I invite you to experience stories that are human, African, and universal. We don’t just perform—we connect. Our work explores identity, race, migration, and mental health through simple but deeply emotional performances. We aim to spark dialogue and empathy. Whether you’re new to African theatre or a seasoned curator, we hope our stories move you and stay with you.
Q: What’s next for you, and how can people follow or support your work?
Emmanuel: Next is our Philadelphia Fringe debut with A Palm Tree in London, followed by Colors at the Lagos Fringe (hopefully… lol).
We are growing international collaborations, mentoring young creatives, and advocating for bold African stories on global stages.
Follow us on Instagram @instinctpictures and visit www.instinctpictures.ng to stay updated, partner with us, or collaborate. You can also follow me personally @hynstinct.
Be Part of Stories That Travel the World
From Lagos to London to Philadelphia — this is the power of the Fringe.
Join us in celebrating bold African storytelling at its source.
Lagos Fringe Festival 2025
November 18–23
Lagos, Nigeria
Come witness where the next global story begins.
About the Editor:
Ayoola Adesewa is a storyteller and digital creative passionate about using art and media to spark dialogue and drive impact. As the Digital Communications Lead at Lagos Fringe, she curates vibrant narratives that spotlight artists and deepen community connections. A playwright and founder of Pick A Pen Tribe, Ayoola’s work explores identity, mental health, and social transformation through words that resonate on and off the stage.