The cast, and the director of ‘Eni Ogun’ (The Noble Warrior), Segun Adefila are putting finishing touches to the black Africa stage musical to be held in honour of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, from July 11-13, at the Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos.
Beyond a mere tribute to the African literary giant, the musical written by Cash Onadele, is a profound journey into the heart of the human experience, touching on themes of identity, resilience, and the soul of Africa itself.
In exploring the aforementioned themes, ‘Eni Ogun’ deploys symbolisms like the rape of a gentile young woman as a personification of the historical violation of Africa. A continent that despite its defilation, Adefila insists is still ‘a beacon of hope.’
“Noble Warrior is deeply personal. It is my story, your story, our story,” he said. “There is no pretense of perfection here. Everyone has flaws, and every action has a reason.”
Actors Oluwatosin Yormekpeh who plays the lead role Soyinka, Sholanke Oluwatosin (Olasope), and Friday Olohuntimileyin, gave their take on their role and of the production.
“It’s a challenge but also a privilege,” said Yormekpeh, in recognition of the immense responsible upon him as the protagonist. “(to be) at the center of it all, and you must give everything. This isn’t just another show, its intentional, intense and completely unique.”
“There is so much to learn, especially as we honour a noble man like Wole Soyinka,” said Oluwatosin.
“Soyinka is worth celebrating. His name carries weight. This is another opportunity to come and see the show, especially if you missed it last year,” chimed in Segun Moses, who connects his character Apena, with Soyinka’s activism.
On his part, stage manager and cast member, Michael Okorie spoke of ‘Eni Ogun’s’ unforgettable blend of storytelling, emotion and theatrical innovation.
“It’s something new. This hasn’t been done anywhere else in the world, and we’re doing it first.”
Originally premiered in 2024, ‘Eni Ogun’ returns with a bigger, blacker cast and musical splash, with a message guaranteed to be a transformative experience for its viewers.
