By Henry Akubuiro
Without practical knowledge on stage, paper knowledge for a drama student isn’t enough. Stagecraft makes a written play breathe and let the apprentice thespians go the whole hog.
Recently, third year students of the English Department, School of Languages, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), formerly Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), staged Bandits and Beggars, a play written by Kunle Adebajo, in partial fulfillment of ENG 323 course.
The performance, directed by Deborah Tijani, with Pelumi Ekundayo as the stage director, had Dr. Folu Agoi as the course handler, who put the students through their paces in the lead up to enacting the performance at the university’s multi purpose hall.
Published in 2008 by Lantern Books, a division of Literamed Publications, Bandits and Beggars is a historical play that goes back in time to the 19th century, highlighting moments of strife in Yorubaland when changed the course of Oyo Empire’s history, leading to mistrust and dislocation.
To appreciate the stage performance, you need to understand the play itself and its history context. In the play, sequel to the peaceful, prosperous reign of Alaafin Abiodun of the ancient Oyo Empire, his successor, Alaafin Awole Arogangan, struggles to surmount so many challenges. The slave trade has just been abolished, and the economy of the empire has nosedived as a result.
The Supreme Council of Oyo Mesi, led by the scheming Prime Minister, Bashorun Asamu, is not giving the new king a breathing space. Alaafin Awole doesn’t help matters, either. There is a standing tradition that no member of the ruling family should be appointed the Are Ona Kakanfo, the generalissimo. But Awole appoints his dubious cousin, Afonja, as the Are Ona Kakanfo.
Besides, Alaafin Afonja commits one indiscretion too many by ordering Afonja and his soldiers to invade Iwere, a town under the jurisdiction of the Oni of Ife, a reverred monarch, who shouldn’t be humiliated by anybody.
In the stage play, the plot of Bandits and Beggars begins at a frenetic pace. There is turmoil in the land, and there is fear in the wake. The tragedy in the land, however, doesn’t deter Balogun Edun, a popular soldier in the Oyo Empire, from making love advances to the Alaafin’s maid, Apeke.
Olori Iyunade, the wife of Alaafin, fails to take the side of the people in their dark moments, as she charges the king not to “let the fate of the people upset” him, for “they were born that way.” Thus, the locals are further alienated from his leadership. Afonja, too, fails in his bid to overrun Iwere, as the Oyo army is being decimated now and then. The fear of bandits closing in becomes overwhelming.
To end the misery of the Oyo Empire, the Oyo Mesi, together with Bashorun Ashamu, pulls a fast one on the undesirable Alaafin Awole by placing a calabash with parrots eggs before him in an act of insubordination and mutiny.
The king doesn’t go down without a fight by placing a string of curses on the empire: “This land will never know peace again. To all the points I shoot my arrows will you be carried as slaves. Your water will turn sour. My curse be on you for your disloyalty and disobedience, so let your children disobey you. If you send them on errands, let them never return to bring you words again.
“My curse will carry you to the sea, and beyond the seas. Slaves will rule over you and you, their masters, will become slaves. Your babies will die before your very eyes. You will sow but never eat of the harvest. On foreign soils will your sons and heirs die. As harlots will your daughters serve. You, Asamu, have brought shame to Yorubaland.” He, thereafter, drinks poison and dies.
The bandits are to take over through their leader General Offa, as the ruler of the Oyo Empire, and their reign is trailed with tears and gnashing of teeth. There are many schemes and flights thereafter, including that of Prince Aremo and Olori Iyunafe, who flee to neighbouring Dahomey, led by Oba Gezo. Hitherto, Dahomey was under the control of the Oyo Empire. Now, it’s turning into a haven for fleeing Yoruba as refugees and beggars. Oba Gezo of Dahomey even has to adjudicate on the case between Iyunade and Apeke over ownership of a Yoruba son. Talk of a curse!
It’s to the credit of the students that they handled the large cast of the performance without missing their lines. There are also no signs of stage fright. The lighting effects weren’t the best, as some transitions and moods weren’t well captured. Again, some roles meant to be acted by men were played by women. This is understood, however, because of the male-female ratio of the department, which is tilted towards the latter. Interestingly, the costumes helped to mask this anomaly to an extent. The props utilised on stage were apropos.
Dr Folu Agoi, the course handler, said at the end of the performance: “I am actually impressed with this performance. It’s actually meant to be a test, but I got so involved in the production to the extent I was always present during rehearsals.
“Since I was inviting some of my colleagues from Lagos, I kept expressing my doubts, because I didn’t wish to be disgraced before my guests, but I am smiling right now. That shows you (students) impressed me. I can’t say you were perfect, because perfection is a rarity in this world, because there is always room for improvement.”
He added: “I can see that today is going to be a milestone in the lives of many of you. Right now, I know some stars are born today on this stage.”
A lecturer from the science school: Adekunle Abdul, who watched the performance from the beginning to the end, said he was also impressed with the performance: “A good student, they say, is an ambassador of the institution. From what I have seen today, all students of the English department are worthy ambassadors of that department. I have been so enlightened. You put up a very natural production, and, at the same time, so lovely in the individual displays of the characters. It’s also scintillating. On this note, I would rather advise that you pick up interest in what you are doing.”
The Department of English’ Patron, Olumuyiwa Ogunlari. who witnessed the performance, spoke in the same vein : “I am proud of you after watching the performance. I will give it to you. I can imagine the time and effort put into this. You are a total package already. I wish you the best.”
Another lecturer from the institution, Babatunde Kaka, who served as the mcee, and Suleman Oyewale, a lecturer from the French Department, also showered accolades on the young thespians.