Dove Theatre to Stage Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame
Mathew Eloyi
Despite the long-standing challenges facing theatre in Nigeria—particularly the lack of funding and purpose-built performance spaces—schools and theatre practitioners have remained resilient, ensuring the art form continues to thrive. One such shining example is Dove Theatre, the drama arm of Doveland International School, which has sustained a decade-long tradition of staging quality end-of-year theatrical productions.
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In the past, Dove Theatre has brought to life Nigerian and international classics such as Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and Othello, by Ahmed Yerima, and Drums of War by Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare. This year, the spotlight turns to Ola Rotimi’s timeless masterpiece, The Gods Are Not to Blame. Arojah Royal Theatre is partnering with Dove Theatre to provide technical support for the production, which is co-directed by Folashade Olafisoye of Arojah Royal Theatre and Doveland’s own Drama Coordinator, Mr. Chimezirim Ordu
Scheduled for performance on Saturday, June 21st at the school’s Covenant Hall from 2:00 PM, the production promises a rich cultural experience. The school’s proprietor and Executive Producer, Mrs. Justina Chukwu, explained the choice of play as intentional, citing the school’s commitment to exposing students to Nigeria’s literary heritage.
“Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame resonates deeply with contemporary Nigeria,” she said. “It speaks to the issues of blind allegiance to fate, poor leadership, and societal manipulation—challenges we still grapple with today. By staging this play, we aim to provoke critical reflection among students and the wider community about the power of choice, responsibility, and leadership.”
The performance is open to the general public, including families and theatre lovers outside the school community. Tickets are priced at ₦10,000, with proceeds earmarked for the development of Dove Theatre. Funds will support further training for students and enhance the school’s Covenant Hall as a creative learning space.
In a country where youth engagement in the arts is increasingly necessary, Dove Theatre’s upcoming production is a significant contribution to cultural education and national dialogue—one that reaffirms the enduring power of theatre to entertain, educate, and inspire.
Dove Theatre to Stage Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame