Drumbeats and conspicuous sounds will rock Ohio University in the grand opening of the performance of Ola Rotimi's classical play The Gods are Not to Blame at 8 p.m. in the Forum Theater.
The stage show combines ritual, poetry, song, dance and other forms of indigenous African performance aesthetics from the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria.
As the actors move their bodies in the rhythm of the Yoruba throbs and pay tribute to alien deities, history will be made, said International Theater Professor Esiaba Irobi, the play's director. This is the first ever full-fledged African Theater production at OU
he said.
Professor Irobi has directed plays in more than 15 countries and will lead his cast in painting a true picture of Rotimi's play.
In keeping with the African indigenous theatrical tradition, the play will be preceded by a procession around campus at 5 p.m.
No televisions or posters were used to publicize a performance in African indigenous theater. Processions were used to invite people to performances. This is what we will do. We will take the city of Athens by storm Irobi said.
Rotimi's play is an adaptation of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, a depiction of Greek mythology. Rotimi places this universal experience into a different worldview on the Nigerian Soil. As the writer transplants the Greek mythology, he asserts that the fate of the Yoruba people was never pre-ordained. It was subject to their willpower and could not be blamed on the gods.
As the play is performed in Athens, Ohio, this evening, it will be a reminder of a similar performance in the city of Athens, Greece, many years past.
The performance, sponsored by the African Studies Department, presents a different taste of theater and African culture.
This is a chance to offer something different from the international media propaganda about Africa. It will open people to a new and different way of experiencing theater and other cultures Irobi said.
He also said that for the OU cast, most of whom are starring in an African play for the first time, the performance will be a turning point in their lives.
This performance allows us to jump into another culture that is different from American
said OU senior Greg Wenz, the narrator in the play. As a student
it is probably the best learning experience I have had
culturally and theatrically.
Julie Dahlinger, a junior playing Queen Ojuola, agrees. This performance gives you the freedom to be full and yet challenges you because you can't fall short
she said. It is real sweat
real tears and real screams.
First-year graduate student Rob Riley, who plays King Odewale, said he found a lot of similarities between the Yoruba culture and his culture in Trinidad.
This performance unlocks in me something that is so spiritual
he said. I feel like I was born to play this role.
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