Double Bill: The Engagement & Flood!

AfriCan Theatre Ensemble Presents: Seasons of Wrath & Play

AfriCan Theatre Ensemble presents a double-bill of one-act plays by Nigerian playwright Femi Osofisan: The Engagement and Flood! Osofisan has written over 50 plays. Catch his work on stage at the Lower Ossington Theatre until May 1, 2011.

The Engagement
Written by Femi Osofisan
Directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu

The Engagement (L to R): Ari Millen (Elemude), Janine John (Ronke) and Mustapha Lawal (Spirit of the House).

The Engagement is a contemporary Nigerian (Yoruba) take on Anton Chekhov’s one-act farce (A Marriage Proposal) about a dispute between two neighbouring families. Elemude (Ari Millen), a hypochondriac farmer arrives at the house of Chief Medayekan (played by the animated Beyo Akinfemi) to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. After a nervous introduction, Elemude finally gathers the courage to tell his neighbour why he’s there. Overjoyed, Medayekan goes to get his daughter Ronke (Janine John).

Here the story takes a comical turn. Instead of coming straight out with his proposal, a near-hysterical Elemude beats around the bush and the conversation turns into an argument over a piece of land. When Chief Medayekan sees the two “love birds” quarreling he intervenes and sides with his daughter. Elemude storms out. Only then does Ronke discover that he meant to propose. She begs her father to bring him back. Elemude returns and they are engaged, but minutes later they’re arguing again — this time over who has the better dog.

This hilarious performance had us rolling in the aisles. Akinfemi shines as the exasperated Chief Medayekan; John is wonderfully expressive and physical as his stubborn daughter Ronke; Millen hams it up (perhaps a little too much) as the neurotic Elemude; and The Spirit of the House (Mustapha Lawal) set the mood with his rhythmic drumming. The colourful set, beautiful costumes, music and poetry really complement Osofisan’s lyrical script. This is a light-hearted, universal story that will appeal to people everywhere.

Flood!
Written by Femi Osofisan
Directed by Jude Idada and Awoba Bob-Manuel

Flood! Chisom Darlington (Osumare) and John Phillips (father).

The second play in this double-bill shows a different side of Osofisan’s work. Flood! is an intense generational face-off between father and son. In the midst of a raging flood, Osumare (played by Chisom Darlington) turns up at his father’s doorstep and begs him to save himself. His father refuses to go, leaving his fate in the hands of “the goddess.” As the water begins to rise, so does the tension between them — the father’s traditional beliefs vs. his son’s modern morality — and we wonder if they will ever escape.

Flood! is a commentary on power, politics and the relationship between man and nature. Both Phillips and Chisom give powerful performances, covering a lot of ground in a short time. We sense danger around the corner as billows of dry ice creep along the floor boards. Suspenseful and thought provoking, this piece is a nice contrast to The Engagement.

AfriCan Theatre Ensemble offers a unique and engaging theatre experience. For more information about these plays and to buy tickets visit africantheatre.org.

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