Drama And Theatre In Nigeria: A Critical Source Book
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Drama And Theatre In Nigeria: A Critical Source Book Edited By Yemi Ogunbiyi; Second Edition; Tanus Books Limited, Lagos; First Published 1981; 736pp
The publishing of the second edition of Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi’s 1981 book, Drama And Theatre In Nigeria: A Critical Source Book is a watershed in theatre scholarship in Nigeria. In his 60-page Introduction, entitled “Nigerian Theatre and Drama: A Critical Profile”, Ogunbiyi undertakes a grand sweep of the historical roots and modern means of theatre.
The “General” lead-up to the multifarious essays is J.P. Clark’s “Aspects of Nigerian Drama” in which the playwright and poet states: “Contrary to what some seem to think, Nigerian drama did not begin at the University of Ibadan.”
Ogunbiyi in Drama And Theatre In Nigeria: A Critical Source Book is divided into nine sections taking charge of the various areas.
The section, “Traditional Theatre 1: Dramatic Ritual”, features Ola Rotimi’s “The Drama in African Ritual Display”; Robin Horton’s “The Gods as Guests: An Aspect of Kalabari Religious Life”; James Amankulor’s “Ekpe Festival as Religious Ritual and Dance Drama”; Onuora Nzekwu’s “Masquerade”; M.J.C Echeruo’s “The Dramatic Limits of Igbo Ritual”; Ossie Enekwe’s “Myth, Ritual, and Drama in Igboland”; E.O Kofoworola’s “Traditional Forms of Hausa Drama”; Andrew Horn’s “Ritual, Drama and the Theatrical: The Case of Bori Spirit Mediumship” and Dapo Adelugba’s “Trance and Theatre: The Nigerian Experience”.
In the second part of the section, “Traditional Theatre II: The Popular Tradition”, J.A. Adedeji’s “Alarinjo: The Traditional Yoruba Travelling Theatre” bears this revelation: “Hubert Ogunde, who became the first Nigerian artist of the contemporary theatre to turn professional and assume the leadership of a flourishing theatre troupe, recalled that his experience and source of inspiration belonged to the Alarinjo theatre.” Other cultures are represented by Edith Enem’s “Kwagh-Hir Theatre”, R.E Ellison’s “A Borno Puppet Show”, and C.G.B Gidley’s “Yankamanci: The Craft of the Hausa Comedians.”
In “Modern Traditional Theatre: Yoruba Travelling Theatre”, Ebun Clark’s landmark essay, “Ogunde Theatre: The Rise of Contemporary Professional Theatre in Nigeria 1946-72”, Ulli Beier’s distinctive “E.K Ogunmola: A Personal Memoir” and Yemi Ogunbiyi’s inimitable “The Popular Theatre: A Tribute to Duro Ladipo”, are preserved gems.
The section on “The Literary Tradition” showcases M.J.C Echeruo’s foundational “Concert and Theatre in late 19th Century Lagos”, Segun Olusola’s groundbreaking “The Advent of Television Drama in Nigeria”, Femi Euba’s insightful “The Nigerian Theatre and the Playwright”, Akinwumi Isola’s illuminating “Modern Yoruba Drama”, and Biodun Jeyifo’s radical “Literary Drama and the search for a Popular Theatre in Nigeria.”
In “Theatre Management, Organisation, And Production” section, Olu Akomolafe’s “Theatre Management in Nigeria: Appraisal and Challenges”, and Meki Nzewi’s “Music, Dance, Drama, and the Stage in Nigeria” throb with vistas. Wole Soyinka’s early essay “Towards a true Theatre” remains an enduring masterpiece while Demas Nwoko’s “Search for a New Theatre” is grandly iconoclastic.
In the new section on “The New Media: Nollywood and Nigerian Cinema”, Biodun Jeyifo engages the question/s: “Will Nollywood Get Better? (Did Hollywood and Bollywood Get Better?)
In the “Postscript”, Wumi Raji’s “New Nigerian Playwrights: An Update” analyses the works of Femi Osofisan, Bode Sowande, Kole Omotoso, Olu Obafemi, Tess Onwueme, Uko Atai, Ahmed Yerima, Esiaba Irobi and Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju.
There is the “Appendix: Play-texts” featuring Robin Horton’s “Ikaki: The Tortoise Masquerade”, Nnabuenyi Ugonna’s “Ezeigboezue: An Igbo Masquerade Play”, and G.G Darah’s “Dramatic Presentation in Udje Dance Performance of the Urhobo.”
Drama And Theatre In Nigeria: A Critical Source Book , edited by Yemi Ogunbiyi, is an authoritative institution in Nigerian scholarship.
Uzor Maxim Uzoatu is a renowned poet, journalist, and author.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
