Iyalode of Eti - a unique West African transposition of one of the greatest dramas ever written, John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, goes on stage in London this weekend.
On stage at Rich Mix on Saturday September 12 and Arcola Theatre on Sunday September 13; the play tells the story of the recently widowed Iyalode - a young, beautiful chief - longs to marry her low-born lover, Oguntade. Her brothers vehemently forbid it, but the Iyalode secretly marries and gives birth. If the brothers discover the deceit, a trail of torture, torment, betrayal and murder could follow...
Iyalode of Eti which is kindly supported by Arts Council England, has been adapted by Debo Oluwatuminu - a poet, writer and director. His plays include Fractured Dream (1986), Goodbye John Mbiti (1988) and The Onion Skin (1998). His play A Pebble in the Sea featured in Tiata Fahodzi’s African shorts at the Arcola in 2004. In 2007, he worked in collaboration with Conflict Zone Arts Theatre, with writers from Israel, Palestine, Pakistan and Kosovo. This was supported by the Jerwood Foundation and Soho Theatre. Closing Time and Seawall were the outcome of these collaborations. He recently completed work on an African adaptation of the American Television series ‘Desperate Housewives’ in association with EbonyLife TV and Disney.
Iyalode of Eti
The play is directed by Moji Kareem, an award winning theatre director and the Founder and Artistic director of Utopia Theatre. Her previous work includes: London Tales (Rich Mix and Lost Theatre), PIAD (Cultural Centre, Calabar), This Is Our Chance (Cultural Centre, Calabar), The Shepherd’s Chameleon (CLF Art Cafe, London and York St John Theatre Studio,), House of Corrections (Riverside Studio), Pandora’s Box as Assistant Director (Arcola Theatre, London) Wake Me When It’s Time (York Theatre Royal, York), The Maids (York St John theatre Studio York), and The Duchess of Malfi (York St John theatre Studio, York).
On her reason for directing the play, Kareem stated that: "Growing up in a Yoruba culture with rich tradition and language, I was enthralled by the language and world that Webster paints."
The play also benefits from the expertise of its Musical Director - Juwon Ogunbe an inspiring and well-respected musician, singer, composer and band leader from London, of Nigerian heritage. Placing African music at the heart of his work, Juwon also incorporates pop, jazz and classical music into his expressive range. Commissions include music for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Union Dance and the Southbank Centre amongst many others.
Utopia Theatre Company was founded in 2012 with the aim of attracting new audiences to the theatre.
Website: http://www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/
Twitter: @Utopia_Theatre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/utopiatheatrecompany
12th September 7:30pm at Rich Mix - 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London, E1 6LA.
(Box office: 0207 613 7498) - www.richmix.org.uk
13th September 7:30pm at Arcola - 24 Ashwin St, London, E8 3D.
(Box Office: 0207 503 1646) - www.arcolatheatre.com
Tickets: £5
Length: 60 min no interval