OMO LONDON
Nigeria in British playwriting: A FESTIVAL
21 September – 11 October 2010
www.ovalhouse.com
To mark the 50th Anniversary of Nigerian Independence, Oval House Theatre proudly presents Omo London, a short season of work examining the identity, heritage, and legacy of Nigerian communities in the UK. The festival consists of one main full length play, three play readings and a debate.
The main festival production is the full debut production of Arinze Kene’s, ESTATE WALLS, directed by Ché Walker. The play is set in an inferior London estate and follows the story of Obi, a young writer who dreams of leaving. Told through rich, witty and lyrical street language, the story focuses on the young artist’s conflict between his ambitions and his loyalty to his friends.
“Oval House is proud to be presenting OMO London, a festival that explores the growing influence of Nigerian playwriting on British theatre. This festival is the start of an ambitious future of African Theatre for us, and in 2011 we will be presenting full productions of the three play readings being staged during this festival.” Ben Evans, Oval House Director of Theatre.
Alongside our Main House production, noted playwright Oladipo Agboluaje curates a series of Monday evening readings, under the title LONDON NAIJA, showcasing three new plays by London based Nigerian writers. These three plays, EGUSI SOUP by Janice Okoh, FIXER by Lydia Adeunji and PANDORA’S BOX by Ade Solanke, explore both the experience of Nigerians in the UK and the contemporary relationship between Nigeria and Great Britain.
On Saturday 25 September from 2.30pm – 6.30pm, the season will be complimented by an afternoon debate followed by dinner. The debate explores the past, present, and future of Nigerian culture in British Theatre has been produced with Goldsmiths College, University of London. The main speakers are Oladipo Agboluaje and Mojisola Adebayo.
Omo London means “Child of London”, from the Yoruba word “Omo”, meaning child or children.
Venue Details
Venue: Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW
Box Office: 020 7582 7680
Online booking: www.ovalhouse.com (no booking fee)
Access: All events are in Downstairs theatre which has flat, ground floor wheelchair access.
There is space for up to 8 wheelchairs. Induction loop facility in both Upstairs
and Downstairs theatres. Parking available for disabled visitors.
Travel: Nearest Tube: Oval (Northern Line, 1 minute) or Vauxhall (BR and Victoria Line, 15 minutes)
Buses: 3, 36, 59, 133, 155, 159, 185, 436
Car/Parking: Spaces available for disabled drivers ONLY
On-Street parking nearby (free after 6:30pm)
We are not in the congestion charge area
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Inner City Theatre presents the World Premiere of ESTATE WALLS
Written by Arinze Kene, Directed by Ché Walker
21 September –¬ 9 October, 7.45pm
£12 / £6 concessions
Set in an inferior London estate, Estate Walls follows the story of Obi, a young writer who dreams of leaving. Told through rich, witty and lyrical street language, the story focuses on the young artist’s conflict between his ambitions and his loyalty to his friends, who are planning a heist in which Obi refuses to take part. Meanwhile, his love for a forbidden girl adds to the complexity of his life, making him soon to enter a whole world of problems.
Preview of Estate Walls on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 September, 7.45pm. Special preview ticket rate of £6 for all seats.
Post-show discussions of Estate Walls with the cast and creative team, included in ticket price, on Tues 28 September and Tues 5 October.
British Sign Language performance of Estate Walls on Thursday 7 October, 7.45pm.
Audio described performance of Estate Walls on Friday 8 October, 7.45pm
LONDON NAIJA
27 September – 11 October
£5 per play
A series of three Monday evening play readings, as listed below:-
EGUSI SOUP by Janice Okoh
Monday 27th September, 6pm
As a British-Nigerian family pack their suitcases and prepare to head home for a funeral they realise they will need to get rid of some excess baggage first…
A fast, furious and funny new family drama about life in London, death in Lagos and soup on the kitchen table! Presented by Menagerie Theatre Company.
FIXER by Lydia Adetunji
Monday 4th October, 6pm
Northern Nigeria. When militants attack a new oil pipeline, journalists, spin doctors and consultants rush to the scene. In the middle is one man who thinks he can play them all.
PANDORA’S BOX by Ade Solanke
Monday 11th October, 6pm
On holiday with her streetwise teenage son in Lagos, a British-Nigerian mother is in turmoil. Should he be on the plane back to London with her? Or should she leave her only child in a strict Lagos boarding school rather than return him to the battlefields of inner London…
STAGES OF INDEPENDENCE
Saturday 25th September, 2.30- 6.30pm
Tickets £5
A debate exploring the past, present, and future of Nigeria in British Theatre. Curated by noted playwrights Oladipo Agboluaje and Mojisola Adebayo, in collaboration with Goldsmiths College, University of London.
*£20 SPECIAL TICKET OFFER: All day Debate, Dinner, Drama
Includes admission to Stages Of Independence debate, dinner in Oval House cafe/bar and a ticket to the evening performance of Estate Walls.
~Info by Hatch Events/Omo London
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