Thespian Family Theatre To Stage The gods Are Not To Blame In UK

Having thrilled and ‘edutained’ the Nigerian audience with scintillating stage dramas for over a decade, the Thespian Family Theatre is set to stage “The Gods are not to Blame” in London. Their first outing in the UK, they promise to bring the house down with world class performance that will linger in the minds of the audience for a long while. Speaking to the New Telegraph, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the troupe, Mrs Ayo Jaiyesimi said that it will be an unforgettable experience as it will showcase a good number of the industry’s best with lots of Nigerian costumes and dances. “I feel so excited staging my first play in the UK.
We will be doing the play together with Heavy Wind Media UK. It will feature a rich cast and crew of stage titans from Nigeria, Uk and Germany. The team includes Dejumo Lewis (the Oloja of Ojo, Village Headmaster), Toyin Oshinaike, Olarotimi Fakunle, William Benson (all from Nigeria), German based Nigerian Actor Jubril Sulaimon, Moji Bamtefa (Meet the Adebanjos), Frank Oluwole Williams (seasoned Artiste in his own right but also son of well-loved veteran Actor, Larry Williams), Theodora Ibkwe- Oyebade, Tolulope Yesufu (Shattered Heart), Kristina Simakova and others including the THESPIAN Family Theatre troupe.
The play is directed by Lookman Sanusi and showing at the Lost Theatre London from 26th to 30th April 2015. On what the audience should expect, Jaiyesimi says that the audience should expect “a fusion of music, dance, folklore and poetry in a rich African setting”. “The Gods are not to Blame is an adaptation of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex and set in an indeterminate period of a Yoruba Kingdom. Written by Ola Rotimi, the story centres on Odewale, born to King Adetusa and his wife Queen Ojuola, the King and Queen of Kutuje. As a baby, he is to be sacrificed to the gods because his birth is considered as bad omen – a child pre-destined to kill his father and marry the same woman who gave birth to him. Gbonka, King Adetusa’s special messenger, is asked to carry out this rite, but he allows compassion to take the better part of him and he spares Odewale’s life, giving him instead to the hunter, Ogundele, in another village in Ijekun to foster. Soon after…, find out what happens at the theatre,” Jaiyesimi enthused. “We chose ‘the GODS Are Not To Blame’ written by Ola Rotimi because I find it intriguing.
It is a very rich story, which has the opportunity to feature a lot of Nigerian costume, dance and drama. The messages and themes are also very apt for Nigeria, Nigerians in the diaspora and all people.” “We explore the themes of Predestination, Leadership and Service and hope this play will trigger thoughts in the audience.
Whilst most people irrespective of nationality believe in the existence of strong forces that shape the course of their lives, there also is the constant debate that most of these pronunciations come to pass because of some human flaw that could possibly be worked on. An example that strikes me is when it was said that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015 and it did seem as If a sea of challenges were let lose. However a host of things we fail to address as individuals and as a nation have contributed immensely to the situation we are in. Therefore being at the brink of the fulfilment of a ‘negative prophesy’ isn’t so much about the prophesy but the actors in the scheme of things.
In terms of Good Leadership and Service to each other; these are elements not only desired of our leaders but also of each of us is to move Nigeria and indeed Africa to the next level. Odewale, the protagonist in the play, though in the midst of tragedy, displays the involvement and commitment in his community,” Jaiyesimi explained. The play, which will be staged by Thespian Family Theatre is in conjunction with Heavy Wind Media UK and will hold from the 26th to 30th of April at the Lost Theatre, London. Thespian Family Theatre and Productions is an emerging leader in the theatre space and has had a number of successful showing of awesome plays.
An organ of SPIIN (Societal Positive Impact Initiative), the THESPIAN Family Theatre and Productions is a STAR member of the International Society for Performing Arts, an international world acclaimed body which has been in existence for 65 years and global membership spanning a number of countries. “We did this play in Lagos in December 2014 and would be doing it again.
We are excited with the opportunity to do yet another great production that will not only thrill the audience but also engraft a message in their hearts. We are also grateful for the support of various organisations that believe in us, in the Arts and Culture and particularly, the stage. We also are happy to have the support of the Ola Rotimi Foundation,” Jaiyesimi noted.