Home / Season / Family Christmas show
The Lantern Keeper
When the lights go out over the creek, a tortoise and a girl must carry the last lantern home.
The play
The Lantern Keeper
Every Christmas the old lantern keeper lights the creek. This year she has a cold, the generator has run out and the market is in darkness. Her granddaughter Ama and a very slow tortoise set off with the last lantern. Songs, puppets, a little bit of scary and a lot of joining in.
Adapted for the stage by the writer from her own bedtime stories, with songs written with the ensemble in our studio. Directed by Bassey Ita, with design by Bassey Ita and music by the Opus drummers.
Our six year old has not stopped singing the tortoise song. Bring tissues for the lantern scene.Example audience review
Dates and seats
Choose a performance.
The calendar shows only this play. Tap a date for times and seats left.
November 2026
Pick a date
Dates with a dot have performances.
Cast
Who you will see.
From the Opus ensemble. Example names for this demo.
Enobong Akpan
Ama
Victor Ani
Tortoise
Offiong Henshaw
Grandma Lantern
Ima Okon
The Night Wind
Prices
What a seat costs.
Student tickets need a valid student ID at the door. Under 14 tickets must be with an adult. Example prices for this demo.
| Area | Full | Student | Under 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front stalls | ₦6,000 | ₦3,600 | ₦3,000 |
| Stalls | ₦5,000 | ₦3,000 | ₦2,500 |
| Rear stalls | ₦4,000 | ₦2,400 | ₦2,000 |
| Balcony | ₦3,000 | ₦1,800 | ₦1,500 |
Before you come
Good to know.
Relaxed performance on Sunday 20 December, 15:00
Babes in arms free on a lap
Booster seats at the door
Puppets and one short dark scene
In rehearsal
Photographs.
Tap a photograph to see it larger.
Is there an interval
No. The show runs straight through, and you can step out and come back in quietly.
Can I bring children
The age guide is All ages, best for 4 to 11. It is a guide, not a rule, but children under 2 sit on a lap and need no ticket only at The Lantern Keeper.
What if I arrive late
Latecomers are seated at a suitable break, usually within ten minutes. Front stalls latecomers may be moved to the back of the stalls for that scene.
Can I swap my date
Yes, up to 24 hours before, to any other performance of the same play, for free. Message the box office with your reference.
Also this season
Make a night of two.
The Salt Road
Three sisters, one canoe and the last load of salt before the rains.
Mama Ekaette’s Kitchen
The best pepper soup in Calabar, served after midnight, to people who should not be in the same room.
Seats for The Lantern Keeper.
25 performances, 17 December to 3 January 2027. Choose exactly where you sit.