Ghasiram Kotwal, Eda, Oba Koso, Queen Oronsen, to Highlight KWASU’s Festival of Plays 2024
Jerry Adesewo
The 2024 edition of the annual Festival of Plays at Kwara State University (KWASU), Molete, is set to open later today, Monday, July 1, 2024, at the institution’s convocation arena.
This 10-day-long festival will feature nine plays, including Duro Ladipo’s classical opera “Eda,” Ahmed Yerima’s “Mojagbe,” and Femi Osofisan’s “Who is Afraid of Solarin?” One of the highlights is “Ghasiram Kotwal,” by Indian veteran playwright Vijay Tendulkar, a play revolves around Ghasiram, who arrives in Poona with his family in pursuit of wealth, only to be framed and oppressed by the city’s inhabitants. He vows to take revenge, becoming their worst nightmare, regardless of the cost to his life and loved ones. The play explores the intense conflict between Ghasiram and the people of Poona.
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The schedule of performances is as follows:
– “Third World War” by Otun Rasheed – July 1
– “Agbogungboro” by Segun Olujobi- July 2
– “Ghasiram Kotwal” by Vijay Tendulkar – July 3
– “Eda” by Duro Ladipo – July 4
– “Mojagbe” Ahmed Yerima – July 5
– “Queen Oronsen” by Biola Adumati – July 8
– “Oba Ko So” by Duro Ladipo – July 9
– “Alatako” By Felix Omoruwa – July 10
– “Who is Afraid of Solarin?” by Femi Osofisan – July 11
All performances will take place at 2:00 PM daily.
Dr. Mike Agboola, the Head of the Department of Performing Arts, emphasized the importance of the festival as a platform for students to demonstrate their theatrical skills and creativity. He noted, “It offers a unique opportunity for the community to engage with the vibrant performing arts culture at KWASU and assess the students’ talents.”
KWASU, known for its rich history and commitment to student theatre, has long been a nurturing ground for young talents in the performing arts. The Festival of Plays is a significant event in the university’s calendar, reflecting its dedication to cultural and artistic expression. The festival promises to be a celebration of talent, culture, and artistic expression, drawing audiences from across the region.
Find below, synopsis of some of the festival plays:
THE THIRD WORLD WAR by Otun Rasheed.
The Third World War by Otun Rasheed is a satirical play that aims to correct religious intolerance in a fictious Agbaye (now Akoraye ); a microcosm of the World nay Nigeria, with multiple religious beliefs. Interestingly, Muslims and Christians are united in order to suppress traditional African beliefs. Ilu Agbaye (Akoraye) is faced with various sorts of calamities; diseases, famine, natural disasters, and spiritual attacks. The king and the community leaders call on the Chief Priest to find out the causes of these problems. The Chief Priest discloses to the people that the unfortunate incidences are due to the community’s neglect of the traditional “Agbarijo-Ako” (Brainstorming) festival. The rites required for the Agbarijo-Ako festival involve a seven-day dusk to dawn curfew, which Christians and Muslims find unacceptable to their freedom and rights of movement. The resistance and counter-resistance lead to violence with negative effects on socio-economic lives of the people. The question is can religious supremacy put food on our tables? Are human God’s defendants on earth? Then why does God allow multitude of religion if one is the key to everlasting life? Who wins at the end of the day? Join us to judge the outcome so as to build a united World.
ALÁTAKÒ by Felix Omoruwa
ALATAKO tells the story of the creation of the gods of which Osun is the only female amongst them and they all despise her because of the characteristics that differentiate her from them.Olodumare sent them down to the earth to establish the world, and on their way, they encountered several difficulties. Ogun being the pathfinder god, takes the lead, Sango follows, and then Orunmila. After crossing the river they all consult Olodumare on the next step to take. It is at this point that Olodumare creates the love affair between Osun and Orunmila. However, Esu is jealous because of Orunmila and Osun’s love affair. Having accused Osun of theft, Esu manipulates the other gods into believing that she takes something stealthily from Orunmila. Esu intends to see the fledgeling affairs between Osun and Orunmila go down. As the performers unfold the story performatively through this non-verbal communicative art, dance. You are encouraged to be an active observer in the schemes of Esu if he would indeed succeed.
MOJAGBE By Ahmed Yerima
Seeking immortality, Mojagbe ascends the throne by trickery. With the aid of his sorcerer, Isepe. He blocks the mouth of death by killing his own mother. He whets the throat of death with the blood of his first wife and appeases death with the six foetuses in his young bride’s womb.With his powers, Mojagbe becomes tyrannical and his chiefs, people and even spirits of the village begin to plot his removal. Layewu the community’s masquerade of death is invoked by the four leaders of the village’s witches against Mojagbe.
WHO IS AFRAID OF SOLARIN By Femi Osofisan
Who is Afraid of Solarin? is a comedy on graft and corruption prevalent in the Nigerian society. The play is an adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector (1836). Isola, a rascally and irresponsible traveller, is mistaken for the dreaded Public Complaints Commissioner, Solarin, by the corrupt officials of the Local Government Council. His presence stirs up anxiety and panic among the officials, who make desperate efforts to out-do each other so as to placate the visitor. Their actions throw up the high level of corruption and decay that exist in the local council. Thus, the impostor is generously bribed and accorded the reception that befits his status as a man of importance. The discovery of the mistake coincides with the arrival of the real Public Complaints Commissioner.
QUEEN ORONSEN by Biola Adumati
Queen Oronsen is the historical and indigenous story of the Owo kingdom. It is a dance theatre written by Bola Adumati addressing the history of Olowo of Owo Renrengenjen, a powerful and mysterious king that enjoys adventure and love hunting. He meets a mysterious animal that has the power to change to two different creatures, Oronsen, on his hunting expedition with few of his accolades. He decides to marry this mysterious creature, Queen Oronsen has agreed to keep her secret and unfold her taboos. King Renrengenjen’s special love display towards Queen Oronsen adverts the other two wives’ jealousy to pun on Queen Oronsen taboos which were perfectly planned on King Renrengenjen long hunting expedition. Queen Oronsen leaves angrily to where she’s respected and honored. King Renrengenjen was annoyed that he did not meet Oronsen at the palace when he got back. He decides to look for Queen Oronsen and beg for mercy to return to the palace, she insists but gives King Renrengenjen an emissary which symbolizes the love she has for the king but she can never return. This leads to the celebration of the igogo festival in honor of Queen Oronsen.
EDA by Duro Ladipo
Èdá, written by Duro Ladipo revolves around the eponymous character, Èdá, who is wealthy, influential but cruel and inhumane towards the less privileged. He forgets that Olódùmarè is the source of his riches and affluence. While he neglects the poor, he chooses to lavish his money on frivolities. Olódùmarè in his furious state sends Ikú to bring Èdá to judgement. As the reality dawns on Èdá, his friends and associates cut ties with him. Will Èdá’s wealth accompany him to the afterlife? Please sit back, relax and enjoy this thrilling opera.
AGBOGUNGBORO (The legend of OGEDENGBE) by Segun Olujobi
Agbogungboro, The Legend of Ogedengbe revolves around a child who was a born warrior. Due to the torment and oppression of the Ibadan warriors against the Ijesha people, from consultation, Ifa revealed that a child would be born to liberate them from the wicked hands of the enemy. It comes to pass and the child grows up to be a strong warrior. He is not a match for any of his mates. This wicked act of the Ibadan warriors affected Ekiti and at a point in the libretto, the Ajele raped the wife of a warrior, a prince of Ekiti, his killing led to the war. Ogedengbe is consulted to help fight. He does so and saves the people by killing the generalissimo of the Ibadan warriors, thereby fulfilling prophecy.