On Monday and Tuesday, February 10th and 11th Consecutively, students of the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, presented two distinct plays: Anowa and The Palmwine Drinkard. The performances showcased the diverse forms of dramatic literature, encompassing both tragedy and comedy.
The Palm Wine Drinkard
Amos Tutuola's "The Palm Wine Drinkard" is a work of African literature, a fantastical journey through Yoruba folklore told in a unique and vibrant voice. The performance began with Lanke, a palm wine addict who, by his own account, first tasted palm wine at the age of five and had since become addicted to it.
The real adventure began when Alaba, Lanke's favorite palm wine tapper, fell from a palm tree and died. This greatly affected Lanke, and he vowed to bring Alaba back from the dead. He embarked on a journey to the land of the dead, first visiting the "Iwins" for power. The actors delivered extremely comedic mimes to bring the "Iwin" to life.
Lanke's journey into the land of the dead involved encounters with Sango and his lover, and even Death himself. He acquired a wife from Olugbo, who mistakenly believed the woman he had rescued was his fiancée. Eventually, Lanke reached the land of the dead and attempted to bring back Alaba. Alaba refused and instead gave him an egg, instructing him to place it in water to transform it into wine.
Lanke returned and recounted his ordeals to his friends, who were skeptical until he produced the egg Alaba had given him. During a struggle for the egg among his friends, it fell and broke, causing Lanke to faint.
Moments later, it was revealed that the journey to the land of the dead had been Lanke's dream. The characters in his dream were his friends, and Alaba had not died; he had only broken his leg.
This production of "The Palm-Wine Drinkard" was not merely a theatrical event; it showcased the efforts of the dramatic arts students. Spectators left the theatre with smiles on their faces, commending the actors for a job well done.
Anowa
Ama Ata Aidoo's "Anowa" is a cornerstone of Ghanaian literature, grappling with complex themes of feminism, cultural identity, and the enduring legacy of the slave trade. Aidoo's work challenges societal norms and compels audiences to confront uncomfortable truths, making it a particularly relevant play for contemporary viewers.
The stage performance opened with a dialogue between an older woman and her male counterpart. The older woman complained about how a young woman named Anowa refused to marry, unlike her peers. Throughout the play, the older woman appeared restless and bitter about Anowa, while her male counterpart seemed to support Anowa and commend her.
The narrative progressed to Badua and Osam (Anowa's parents) expressing their concerns about Anowa's perceived strangeness. However, Anowa returned with the news that she wished to marry a young man named Kofi-Ako, a proposal her mother vehemently rejected.
This led to a conflict between mother and daughter, and Anowa vowed never to return to Yebi (her village) after her marriage to Kofi-Ako. Kofi-Ako and Anowa were happily married, but childless. Kofi-Ako desired that Anowa cease working so diligently and instead live a life of leisure, much to Anowa's disgust.
Years later, Kofi-Ako had amassed considerable wealth and acquired slaves, yet Anowa remained childless. Anowa now appeared restless and uncomfortable, feeling displaced by the slaves. The climax of the performance occurred when Anowa discovered that her husband had been impotent all along, in the presence of their slaves.
The play concluded with Kofi-Ako taking his own life and Anowa drowning herself.
The actors' portrayal of the characters effectively conveyed the internal conflicts and eventual tragic downfall in the play. The set design, minimalist yet evocative, successfully transported the audience to the world of the play. The use of traditional music and dance added another layer of depth to the production.
The production of "Anowa" was a triumph of theatrical artistry and intellectual engagement.
Moyinoluwa Precious Oguntola
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