If: A Tragedy of the Ruled

Summary

A NOTE ON THE DYNAMICS OF THIS PRODUCTION

From the view point of directing, this, purposefully, is a drama of juxtaposed, variegated actions: a further exploration of theatrical ‘naturalness’ in the evocation of African atmosphere and rhythms through time, space, sound and matter. Technically here, no action need stop so that another can begin. Sometimes, the actions of one moment crash one upon another; other times they follow one after the other with innate civility, yet ‘trippingly’ – driven in their ‘natural’ modes by the tensions of threatened wills. Overall, a convoluting concourse of happenings is the particular stage picture to be evoked.

CAST

Papa

Mama

Dr Hamidu Gidada, alias Ernesto Che Guevara

Chinwe Ejindu

Onyema Ejindu

Banji Falegan, alias Di Law

Akpan Ntuk Akpan, alias Ten Trouble, One God

Adiagha/Woman 1/Mama Ukot

Ukot

Prof Tekena Dokubo

Betty Oviamwen

Garuba Kazaure

Mama Rosa/Woman 2

Landlord

Bible/Choral group leader

Elkenah Igwe or Friend

Policeman 1

Policeman 2

Kalada Amanye

Fisherman

Mrs Dokubo

2 thugs

Neighbourhood children

Bible choral group members

TIME SEQUENCE

Friday evening

Happenings I, II, III, IV

Saturday evening

Happenings V

Sunday evening

Happenings VI

HAPPENINGS I

They are happening in the very backyard of this multi-tenanted building which still radiates an aura of genial strength on its foundations. Frankly, though, the building is cheerless. Cheerless and sapped of strength by man's unrelieved dependence on its sheltering niches.

A slightly raised verandah runs along the building which is structured in a mundane rectangular form with the foreground side missing.

Doors to rooms open onto this verandah. It is thus possible for tenant “A” to emerge from his room and rendezvous with tenant “Z” by simply walking on the verandah. Cutting across the bare grounds of the yard is another option, however. The choice depends on whim.

Round the corner Down-Left, or thereabout, is the approach to the kitchen, bathroom and latrine – unseen to the audience. The articles tenants take with them to that part of the building will disclose the precise destination of the individual – if the audience must know.

A tap stands perkily somewhere in the foreground – more to the left.

Farther right is a clothes-line diligently linking two posts despite a sagging resolve.