Ìsarà Stage Adaptation Celebrates Wole Soyinka’s 90th Birthday

By Abraham Favour Olohigbe 

 

On Saturday, July 27, Ìsarà, a stage adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s Isara: A Voyage Around “Essay”, was performed at the Wole Soyinka Theatre, University of Ibadan. The play, staged in honour of the Nobel laureate’s 90th birthday, was written and directed by Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan.

The play's cast included Elijah Adebayo as Akinsanya, Atilola Omo as Sipe Efuape, Ropo Ewenla as Pa Josiah, Iyanuoluwa Ajibike as Sotikare, Tunji Aborisade as Pa Josiah, Olugbenga Adekanmbi as Akinyode Soditan, Segun Akinola as Mme Santero, and Abiodun Obadina as the drummer.

The performance opened with a scene where men in black narrated the discovery of a metallic box containing a man’s father’s diary. The diary, described as “tantalizing” by the characters, set the stage for a tale of friendship, mysticism, and power struggles. The plot follows three friends—Akinsanya, Sipe, and Sotikare—as they navigate their roles in Sotikare’s ascension to the throne, despite his initial reluctance. The play concluded with Sotikare’s coronation and a reflective note on the weight of leadership, encapsulated in the line, “No gratitude, only demands.”

Audience members praised the adaptation for its engaging narrative and compelling performances. One attendee remarked, “The play was a beautiful tribute to Wole Soyinka’s work, and the cast delivered a stellar performance.”

Ìsarà will have a second showing at the Wole Soyinka Theatre on July 28, 2024, offering another opportunity for audiences to experience this remarkable production.