To Honour Wole Soyinka At 91, Aiye-ko-ooto’s ‘The Noble Warrior’ Returns To Stage In July
Enthusiasts of inspiring theatre and impactful African stories in Lagos can look forward to a grand experience this July as the internationally acclaimed stage play, ‘The Noble Warrior (Eni Ogun)’, makes its return with an even greater infusion of dance, drama, and a drums ensemble.
This revival is timed to coincide with the annual birthday celebration on 13th July of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, in whose honour the play was conceived by Nigerian-American playwright, poet, and producer, Cash Onadele, also known as Aiye-ko-ooto.
While it is not a strict historical representation of Soyinka’s life, the richly musical theatre production, ‘The Noble Warrior’, celebrates the character traits of the versatile and globally esteemed professor of literature, who will turn 91 on 13th July. This sophomore edition promises to elevate the experience by incorporating additional elements of dance, drama, and percussion into an already captivating storyline.
“Set to run from 11th to 13th July at the historic Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island, the production will host two performances daily— a matinee at 3pm and an evening show at 6pm.
In discussing the upcoming performances, Cash Onadele mentioned that syndk8ml has received endorsements from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC).
While looking forward to further sponsorship, partnerships, and endorsements, Onadele remarked that the 2024 production was a success under the artistic direction of Segun Adefila. He expressed hope in building upon that momentum to ensure African creativity flourishes on a global scale, continuing to celebrate the enigmatic literary legend annually, even after his passing.
Aiye-ko-ooto also elaborated on plans to engage the next generation of theatre enthusiasts, noting that “there is currently a plan” which details initiatives to bring the production to the University of Lagos and potentially the University of Ibadan.
“With the University of Lagos’ ample seating capacity, all tertiary institutions in the vicinity could participate. Students with valid ID cards will enjoy significant discounts, making this rich cultural experience accessible to a broader youth audience.
“This initiative, focusing on youth development and integration, is a significant way the production aims to give back. We are actively seeking sponsors to realise this vision,” Onadele concluded.
Having premiered last year at the Cultural Centre in Abeokuta and at the prestigious MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos, ‘The Noble Warrior’ “returns bigger, bolder, and better, enhanced with fresh dimensions and enriched with more dance, drama, and drums, rendering it even more captivating and suspenseful for audiences from all walks of life.”
