Sunday 24 October 2010

In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

In terms of theatre generally, there are people I just cannot touch. We have the Kenneth Branaghs, the Oliviers, the William Shakespeares; you can’t put my name in the same sentence. So, it won’t be about matching. I would love to say that my legacy or what’s on my epitaph or the epitaph on my tombstone will be “The man who allowed or found ability for African theatre to exist within the mainstream of British theatre and allowed it to continue. I just want the legacy of Tiata Fahodzi not to die with my departure really and there are other mini Femi’s knocking around”

In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)

Ellams writing is racy and laced with humour – “The charge was ridiculous, I was found guilty of ‘corrupting our traditional folk stories and using it solely for the advancement of ones own personal gain and interests.” – And is full of nuances which you can trace specifically to Nigeria and this makes Untitled very original. Emmanuel Lorien Spinelli use of African drums for sound effect truly brings the play home. And beyond the use of African, he creates the whispers and noise that you get in the forest which culminates in a deep hypnotic sound that transports you to different place in time though you are sitting in a theatre. Untitled as directed by Thierry Lawson and delivered by Ellams is an outstanding and brilliant performance full of energy and zest from a very promising voice in the world of theatre.


Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)