This new and exciting tension-filled production, which is also being directed and produced by Stepping Stonez, follows six strangers stuck in a hospital waiting room with no memory of how they got there, awaiting news of their loved ones. In the strangest night of their lives, they are unable to leave and medical staff are inexplicably absent.

Lawrence Grahams has been in a car accident with his wife but does not know what has happened to her. Ade and Jermaine’s friend James was seriously hurt in a fight at a party, while Sophie and Jessica escaped a car accident without serious injury and are waiting to get the all clear. Gary can’t remember why he is there at all – but all of them are forced to wait and wait – which is often the hardest thing to do.

Sometimes life can pass you by while you wait for it to begin, but what happens in the waiting room has a far greater impact on their lives than they could ever have imagined.

This new thought-provoking and innovative play follows previous Stepping Stonez  productions including ‘A Date With Destiny’, ‘A Lighter Shade of Blue’, ‘MisIdentity’ (“…brilliant…fantastically witty” soulculture.co.uk) ‘The 7 Detestable Sinz (truly hilarious….showed promise…the talent and creativity is there” onthefringepaper.co.uk) and Family Secrets.

The Waiting Room runs from 28^th August – 16^th September at the Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, London, SW8 2JU starting at 7.30pm.

Book tickets via www.losttheatre.co.uk or call 08444 77 1000

Ticket prices: £12 full / £10 concessions

Previews on 28th and 29th of August: £5 full & concessions

For press and reviews contact:

E: pilar@mysocialmediapa.co.uk / T:020 8090 0034

Visit the Stepping Stonez website: http://www.steppingstonezonline.com

Tourism in Abia just the other day

Before 2010, tourism was almost non-existent in Abia State as it was only a quiescent department under the Information Ministry during the previous governments but was created by the present government to focus, reposition and plan the sustenance of culture and legacies of Abians as well as develop its tourism potentials to create employment opportunities and generate revenue for the state. There was not a time before 2010 that re- orientation of the people’s normative cultural root was progressively considered and planned efforts made in this direction. So, the vast cultural and tourism potentials of the Abians were lying fallow for nearly for nearly two decades. And to put the natural endowments of the state in a tourist-friendly atmosphere, it is no longer business as usual in the ministry less than two years old.

Spotting the state’s many goldmines

Endowed with the knack to raise so much money from its untapped goldmines, Abia is suddenly waking up from its slumber. Interestingly so, the state which was carved out of Imo State nearly two decades ago is the custodian of National War Museum in Umuahia, the Azumini Blue River in Ukwa East local government, Long Juju of Arochukwu in Abia North, Amakama Wooden Cave in Umuahia among a number of others. Azumini Blue River is a major tourist site that attracts people across the country and outside the shores of Nigeria.

It shares its boundary with Akwa Ibom state and an Italian investor reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state government to develop the site as International Tourist Resort Centre. It is a good relaxation centre for leisure travelers and tourists from far and near.  The blueness and freshness of the river makes it so irresistible for tourists who seek the real feel of nature. Long Juju of Arochukwu is very historic. It’s a cave with a long dark tunnel that is associated with the slave trade. It has served as a court of arbitration for the settlement of local, tribal and inter-tribal disputes before the slave trade era. It was an important route through where slaves were sold and transported outside the country through Cross River to the Ocean Port in Port Harcourt. The Amakama Wooden Cave at Umuahia South local government area is an enigmatic tree with a hollow inside it which is also capable of accommodating up to twenty persons inside it at the same time.

Claimed to be as old as Amakama community, the cave has been a safe hideout for the community during tribal wars and the slave raids era. The National War Museum in Umuahia is a reminder of the evils of the Nigerian Civil War. The museum accommodates relics of war and the strategies employed by the Biafran warriors to hack into the transmitting system of the relay station of Eastern Nigerian Television.

A new course in a new dawn

Henry Balogu, a trained lawyer is the current Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abia State and he assumed office sometime in July, 2011. Understanding that tourism cannot thrive in a place where basic infrastructure such as power supply, security and good roads are lacking, the government has speedily geared up to dearth of all this to rest. The roads are relatives safe to ply and the region which has enjoyed appreciable degree of safety hasn’t lost its hospitability as power supply has also been confirmed by indigenes to have surged favourably. He hinted us the master plan for the state to become a tourist haven it has the potential of becoming in no time and explained how; “The governor has commenced plan for the erection of the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, there’s a budgetary provision for this and construction is about to commence. When you have this kind of infrastructure, it is like a super structure on which every other thing is built. If you consider the capacity of this centre to hold international conference about 6,000 seating capacity, the multiplier effects are springing up of hotels, cinemas, eateries, shopping malls and all the rest of them. Since inception of the Governor’s second term in terms of culture and tourism, things have improved. I f you go about town in the past twelve months, you would find about ten to fifteen newly completed hotels. These are by private individuals”. 

Abia State Museum and Monument Centre is also in the pipeline according to the Culture and Tourism Commissioner, this would take care of such monuments and relics for the purpose of preservation. “Right now, some of these relics are with the art council while others are with the community. But we sincerely think that by the time we have this museum, we would be able to retrieve such artifacts and properly keep them and they will be for the good use of the state”, he explained. When asked whether the burden of fund will rest solely on the state government’s shoulder, the commissioner stressed that the state government cannot drive the tourism idea to fruition alone, it also relies on private partnership to make the state coast home with the proud result of its creation.

Nollywood Actress Uche Jombo had a secret wedding on May 16, 2012, to her Puerto Rican/American Lover Kenny Rodriguez and her fans have been dying to feast their eyes on the wedding pictures. Thanks to Wow! Magazine who got exclusive rights to publish the very beautiful wedding pictures, their dreams have been realized!

The death of the Ghanaian president of comes months before Mills was due to stand for re-election at the helm of the West African country that posted double-digit growth in 2011 and has been praised for its strong democracy in a turbulent region.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama has been sworn in now as the new Ghanaian president. According to the country’s constitution, Mahama will complete Mills’ term that was due to end with elections in December.

BASKETMOUTH was put on probation on kast week’s Glo presents The Big Friday show and the special guest celebrity host of the week was the talented and funny FUNKE AKINDELE.  The studio guest was the one and only  DJ Humility.

Watch the teaser here

Naeto C (Naeto Chikwe) and fiancée Nicole Chukwueke formalised their union today at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, off Admiralty way, Lekki phase one, Lagos. Former model Nicole was resplendent in her dress made by top UK Couture Bridal & Evening-wear designer Yemi Kosibah. As to be expected, the exclusive wedding was star studded.

City People Today’s Fashion Magazine presents the 2012 Ankara Fashion and Exhibition! Come and experience Unique and breathtaking designs, accessories etc all made from Ankara. Prepare to also be blown away by the various head-reeling outfits that will be displayed on the runway by 10 Top fashion designers. Also get a chance of getting various fashion and beauty products like Make-up, hair products, shoes, bags, ready to wear ankara outfits and lots more at unbelievable prices.

Some of the designers billed to showcase their creations include Kssh Couture

Date is Sunday 29th July at the TimeSquare Event Centre,Off Awolowo Way,Ikeja by 2pm prompt.
Dresscode: Glamorous and Chic!
Exhibition Space Available
RSVP-Tayo on 08033866181 and Tope on 08038230887

Dont Miss it!

Alali Hart owned Montaigne Place Exclusive Retailers and partners are hooking up with Black|Up Paris to bring the first Black|Up stand alone shop outside Paris to Lagos. The store will be declared open on the 22nd of July 2012 at the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos. Celebrity makeup artist and Black|Up Creative Ambassador David Coranson and his team will show makeup illustrations presented by professional models on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July 2012.