The intrigues of politics in installing a king become the leitmotif for a new vision of the country. There is a perfect blend of light, colours and humour in a story that dwells on love, envy, jealousy and hatred in every day event. With a 78-man cast, Isale Eko addresses ills in the society, especially anarchy, hatred, abuse of people and power. Idowu Ojulari crowns Kosoko’s uncle Akintoye who does not believe in some of the tradition of the town. Both men engage each other in a game of wit and subterranean subterfuge over who should marry a beautiful slave.Įventually, the fight results in Kosoko being denied the throne when his elder brother passed away. In the piece, the playwright weaves the story of love and intrigue into the enthronement of a new king.Using suspense and evocative language, the play goes on to reveal how the Lagos kingdom is thrown into chaos, because of love struggle between the crowned Prince Kosoko and the kingmaker, Eletu Odibo. Written by William Benson and directed by Joseph Edgar, the play deploys theatre idioms as songs, light, characterisation and costumes to tell a familiar, but germane story about the Lagos story. They equally had ways by which new kings emerged.In Isale Eko, a play staged to celebrate the 55th anniversary of one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance company, AIICO Insurance Plc., there is an attempt to retell the history of Lagos. Ticket sales wasn’t that much encouraging as it cost us close to N26 million to stage the play, and we got about N15 million from ticket sales in two days,” he said.Long before the coming of colonial masters, the various kingdoms in the country had their leadership structure. Though, it was a full house, most of the guests that attended the show were linked to corporate organisations that sponsored the stage play. “It was a success financially in terms of what we got from corporate organisations and government, but in terms of tickets sold, it was not successful. However, Edgar noted that the show wasn’t much of a success financially as ticket sales were not that encouraging. When people watch your production and they tell you thank you for your effort its a major turn on for me, that was the major inspiration for me putting the stage play together,” Edgar added. “I love the theatre and I am crazy about it I try to watch stage productions every day of my life and I thought that as an investment banker I could pull resources together for a stage play like ‘Isale Eko’. I have always had interest in the past, especially with writing and that somewhat spurred me into the production of the play ‘Isale Eko’. “I have a natural inclination for the arts don’t forget that I grew up at a time when the art profession was not seen as profitable as parents believed that the art form cannot put food on the table. Speaking after the play, investment banker, Joseph Edgar, who co-produced the stage play with radio personality Olisa Adibua, said his love for the arts was the motivating factor that made him bring ‘Isale Eko’ alive on stage. Read also: History retold as ‘Isale Eko’ goes on stage It was a story of how present day Lagos went through the days of slave trade, its administration and politics, while trying to furge a relationship with its close neighbours and supposed protectors. Isale Eko tells the tragedy that befalls Akitoye, the leading protagonist, the balancing act between the Akitoye and Kosoko ruling families and the romance between the aggressive yet soft Kosoko who finds a Bini damsel too ‘hot’ to resist. The much anticipated stage play Isale Eko came alive on stage last week to the delight of theatre goers who came in their numbers to enjoy a thrilling stage performance of the compelling story set in 14th century Lagos.Įach passing scene of the stage play dramatised by a sprinkle of established actors and others who put up thrilling performances elicited, a positive feedback from the audience which revealed tremendous acceptance and a yearning for an encore.ĭramatists such as Femi Branch, Yemi Sodimu, Adesuwa Etomi, Yinka Davies and Hafeez Oyetoro alias Saka using a mix of modern day music and pop culture to herald each scene of the fictional story written by talented stage director, William Benson.Įvery scene, move, song, dance and word by the dramatists narrated the Lagos history in the most acerbic yet humorous and thrilling way that stunned the watching audience.
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