This is the first collection of plays by award-winning playwright Oladipo Agboluaje, a significant force in Black British drama. Described as an ‘exciting, vital new voice’ (Time Out), Agboluaje demonstrates his versatility to write plays that transcend African and British cultures. Early Morning is a satirical comedy about three Nigerian office cleaners who decide to mount a coup to institute Blackocracy in Great Britain. ‘The comedy is witty, astute and sublimely irresponsible‘ The Spectator The Estate centres on the conflicts within the wealthy Adeyemi family as they make funeral arrangements for their late patriarch, Chief Adeyemi. The Estate is also a social study of class conflict in Nigeria. 'Agboluaje writes with a sharp, satiric eye.’ Guardian The Christ of Coldharbour Lane is the story of Omo who, believing he is the son of God, preaches to the people of Brixton to abandon the 'wilful peace' that is holding them down. ‘an often hilarious, and often profound, snapshot of modern London...[a] thought-provoking piece of original theatre.’ The Stage The Hounding of David Oluwale is based on Kester Aspden's award-winning book and reworks the tragic story of David Oluwale, who was hounded by two police officers in 1960s Leeds, and of the man who fought to get justice for him. ‘a shocking and engrossing story...a kind of In Cold Blood set in Leeds’ Financial Times Iyale (The First Wife) is the prequel to The Estate and tells the story of Helen Adeyemi's rise from being the servant to becoming the wife of the patriarch, Chief Adeyemi. ‘satirical yet sympathetic, brutal yet beautifully observed.‘ The Times
It's 1989 in Lagos. Political hysteria and social change are sweeping Nigeria. Chief Adeyemi's wife Toyin is turning 40 and, behind the mansion walls, the household is preparing for her party. But there are other distractions. Their troublesome sons, returning from college, are more interested in seduction and starting revolutions than their parents' disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile Helen, the ambitious house girl, is waiting for her chance... Iya-Ile was in production at the Soho Theatre, London in Spring 2009.
A powerful yet comic tale of explosive family secrets and the dead hand of a corrupt patriarchy. Inspired by Chekhov but set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Adeyemi is engulfed in burial arrangements for her recently deceased husband, an influential entrepreneur with an extended family scattered across the globe. His children arrive from abroad to hear their father's Will. As they divide his estate an unnatural turn of events takes place and sparks begin to fly. The Estate toured in 2006 in a production by Tiata Fahodzi ('Theatre of the Emancipated) and directed by Femi Elufowoju, jr.
An ordinary school day. But today, there is no going home. When the rest of the world has forgotten your existence, where do you run when the Apocalypse looms? The dock? The navy base? Or do you just sit tight and ride the whole thing out? In a city overcome with death, we are finally forced to start living. A provocative and darkly comic new play, by award-winning playwright Oladipo Agboluaje, exploring our technological dependency, social resilience and the need to belong
Nigeria: ‘the Giant of Africa’. Conservatives rule over the biggest economy on the continent, and one of the largest and youngest populations in the world. What if the people wanted something different? What if they got it? As time runs out to build a coalition which can challenge the ruling party, can progressive forces overcome their personal and political differences, or will their troubled pasts define an even more troubling future?
Brixton... A great spillover of excessive dreams. Anonymous masses... All of you are dancers of the dying beat. I come with the strong arm to ignite the rhythm, to drive again your passion for life.' A revolutionary preacher begs the crowds to 'abandon the wilful peace' that keeps them down. He tries to make them believe that things could be different. But when people pray only for a brand new car or a large KFC bucket, the citizens of Brixton need a miracle to happen... The Christ of Coldharbour Lane premiered at the Soho Theatre in May 2007.
This is the first collection of plays by award-winning playwright Oladipo Agboluaje, a significant force in Black British drama. Described as an ‘exciting, vital new voice’ (Time Out), Agboluaje demonstrates his versatility to write plays that transcend African and British cultures. Early Morning is a satirical comedy about three Nigerian office cleaners who decide to mount a coup to institute Blackocracy in Great Britain. ‘The comedy is witty, astute and sublimely irresponsible‘ The Spectator The Estate centres on the conflicts within the wealthy Adeyemi family as they make funeral arrangements for their late patriarch, Chief Adeyemi. The Estate is also a social study of class conflict in Nigeria. 'Agboluaje writes with a sharp, satiric eye.’ Guardian The Christ of Coldharbour Lane is the story of Omo who, believing he is the son of God, preaches to the people of Brixton to abandon the 'wilful peace' that is holding them down. ‘an often hilarious, and often profound, snapshot of modern London...[a] thought-provoking piece of original theatre.’ The Stage The Hounding of David Oluwale is based on Kester Aspden's award-winning book and reworks the tragic story of David Oluwale, who was hounded by two police officers in 1960s Leeds, and of the man who fought to get justice for him. ‘a shocking and engrossing story...a kind of In Cold Blood set in Leeds’ Financial Times Iyale (The First Wife) is the prequel to The Estate and tells the story of Helen Adeyemi's rise from being the servant to becoming the wife of the patriarch, Chief Adeyemi. ‘satirical yet sympathetic, brutal yet beautifully observed.‘ The Times
The Wish Collector by Oladipo Agbolauje A magical epic whirling from a playground in Britain to a village in Sierra Leone The Acme Thunderer by Lin Coghlan A funny, moving family drama of pigeons and siblings, set amid the Blitz. Of the Terrifying Events on the Hamelin Estate by Philip Osment A high-spirited contemporary satire bringing the Pied Piper legend up-to-date. Three 30 minute plays by leading playwrights for children to act, commissioned by the Unicorn, one of the world’s foremost companies creating theatre with young people. Premiered as end of year performances by primary classes, the scripts are ideal school productions or for younger youth theatre groups. They are designed to be directed by teachers or youth leaders with no previous drama training. The book includes advice and ideas to support preparation, rehearsal and production.
In May 1969, David Oluwale's body was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds. Eighteen months later, the investigation into his death was to rip apart the Yorkshire police force as two officers were prosecuted for killing the Nigerian immigrant whist in police custody.The police acts of prejudice and violence brought to light through the investigation of 1971 shook the population of Leeds, and thirty nine years on, the details of Oluwale's death still haunt the area. Through The Hounding of David Oluwale, an adaptation of Kester Aspden’s critically acclaimed text, Agboluaje uses carefully selected accounts of Oluwale's life to reveal how an optimistic and much loved showman who loved to dance, became the tragic victim of police persecution and brutality. Adapted as part of the Eclipse Theatre Initiative, a scheme dedicated to raising awareness for the work of aspiring Black dramatists, this play is a gripping drama that unravels the deep rooted prejudice that resides within contemporary society. The Hounding of David Oluwale opened at the West Yorkshire Playhouse at the end of January 2009.
Set in the squalor of an Ethiopian dumpsite, this adaptation of Elizabeth Laird's award-winning novel tells the story of two young boys' fight for survival.
It's 1989 in Lagos. Political hysteria and social change are sweeping Nigeria. Chief Adeyemi's wife Toyin is turning 40 and, behind the mansion walls, the household is preparing for her party. But there are other distractions. Their troublesome sons, returning from college, are more interested in seduction and starting revolutions than their parents' disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile Helen, the ambitious house girl, is waiting for her chance... Iya-Ile was in production at the Soho Theatre, London in Spring 2009.
A powerful yet comic tale of explosive family secrets and the dead hand of a corrupt patriarchy. Inspired by Chekhov but set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Adeyemi is engulfed in burial arrangements for her recently deceased husband, an influential entrepreneur with an extended family scattered across the globe. His children arrive from abroad to hear their father's Will. As they divide his estate an unnatural turn of events takes place and sparks begin to fly. The Estate toured in 2006 in a production by Tiata Fahodzi ('Theatre of the Emancipated) and directed by Femi Elufowoju, jr.
Nigeria: ‘the Giant of Africa’. Conservatives rule over the biggest economy on the continent, and one of the largest and youngest populations in the world. What if the people wanted something different? What if they got it? As time runs out to build a coalition which can challenge the ruling party, can progressive forces overcome their personal and political differences, or will their troubled pasts define an even more troubling future?
The Wish Collector by Oladipo Agbolauje A magical epic whirling from a playground in Britain to a village in Sierra Leone The Acme Thunderer by Lin Coghlan A funny, moving family drama of pigeons and siblings, set amid the Blitz. Of the Terrifying Events on the Hamelin Estate by Philip Osment A high-spirited contemporary satire bringing the Pied Piper legend up-to-date. Three 30 minute plays by leading playwrights for children to act, commissioned by the Unicorn, one of the world’s foremost companies creating theatre with young people. Premiered as end of year performances by primary classes, the scripts are ideal school productions or for younger youth theatre groups. They are designed to be directed by teachers or youth leaders with no previous drama training. The book includes advice and ideas to support preparation, rehearsal and production.
An ordinary school day. But today, there is no going home. When the rest of the world has forgotten your existence, where do you run when the Apocalypse looms? The dock? The navy base? Or do you just sit tight and ride the whole thing out? In a city overcome with death, we are finally forced to start living. A provocative and darkly comic new play, by award-winning playwright Oladipo Agboluaje, exploring our technological dependency, social resilience and the need to belong
Brixton... A great spillover of excessive dreams. Anonymous masses... All of you are dancers of the dying beat. I come with the strong arm to ignite the rhythm, to drive again your passion for life.' A revolutionary preacher begs the crowds to 'abandon the wilful peace' that keeps them down. He tries to make them believe that things could be different. But when people pray only for a brand new car or a large KFC bucket, the citizens of Brixton need a miracle to happen... The Christ of Coldharbour Lane premiered at the Soho Theatre in May 2007.
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