HISTORICAL MATERIALS IN CONFLICT WITH ‘EFFECTIVE THEATRE’, EXAMPLE OF WALE OGUNYEMI’S IJAYE
HISTORICAL MATERIALS IN CONFLICT WITH ‘EFFECTIVE THEATRE’, EXAMPLE OF WALE OGUNYEMI’S IJAYE

Summary/Abstract: Historical materials have been used through the ages by dramatists such as William Shakespeare, Alexander Pushkin, Gerhart Hauptmann and so on to create effective theatre. Plays such as Julius Caesar, Boris Godunov, The Weavers are works that have tenuous roots dug into history. In Nigeria, Ijaye and Kurunmi by Wale Ogunyemi and Ola Rotimi respectively are plays which incidentally use the same historical material in their dramaturgy. Due to the great divergence in what we call ‘theatrical effectiveness’ and despite what could be accepted as individual style, it becomes imperative to raise some questions among which are: what best methods should be adopted in the transformation of historical material into drama? What ‘theatrical ingredients’ contribute more to reinforce the dramaturgy or performance aesthetics of one play more than the other?

• Details
• Contents