Childville Schools Stage Death and the King’s Horseman’

Students of Childville Schools, Lagos, held their audience spell-bound with their incredible talent displays as they performed Professor Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman.

For two hours the audience was glued to their seats at the Muson Centre, Lagos as the children effortlessly acted one of the Nobel laureate tragedies on stage.

The play presents a representation of the Yoruba worldview. In the Yoruba cosmetology, there are three worlds, the world of the living, the world of the dead and the world of the unborn. This play focuses on what connects three worlds – transition, the pathway on which on which members of the different worlds meet and interact.

The opening of the play involves the ritual ceremonies for the burial of the dead king (Alaafin). Elesin Oba (The King’s Horseman), who is supposed to commit suicide in order to help the dead king travel peacefully to the world of the dead. Elesin Oba, attired in glorious robes, enters the village market place in a majestic dance procession followed by the Praise Singer (Olohuniyo). Elesin dances until he enters a trance.

Mr. Pilkings, a British colonial district officer was unable to respect the Yoruba people. He hears that Elesin intends to commit suicide. To avoid this, he has Elesin arrested. Olunde (Elesin’s son), a doctor, returns from England. When he heard of the king’s death, he tries unsuccessfully to make Mr. Pilkings understand Yoruba beliefs. Ashamed to see his father’s failure, he kills himself in Elesin’s place.

The cast, including Damilola Akanni (Elesin Oba), Iniubong Ini-inyang (Olunde), Edikan Eyoma (Iya Loja), Daniel Eta (Simon Pilkings), Favour Oloriegbe (Jane Pilkings) among others expressed happiness for the success of the play. The play director and drama teacher of the school, Mr. Jerome Gboyega commended the children for their wonderful performance, adding that they were able to interpret the script effectively despite its technicality.