Lagos will host a stage production of The Divorce of Ochol and Lawino on Sunday, August 30, directed by Segun Adefila and produced by Dates and Events in collaboration with Crown Troupe of Africa.
The play, written by Nigerian historian Chinweizu and adapted from Ugandan poet Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol, will be staged at The Vantage Barn, Oregun, Ikeja, from 5pm to 7pm.
It dramatises a clash of divergent aspirations within a marriage. The production examines the clash of tradition and modernity through the metaphor of marriage, dramatising cultural dislocation and the tension between African heritage and westernisation.
The marriage metaphor helps to bring home the import of culture dislocation that appears to be ravaging Africa and Africans.
Laced with humour, dance and live music, the play takes one on a journey of self-reflection and questions of identity crisis.
It engages audiences while addressing themes of identity and social change.
Director Segun Adefila said the work remains relevant for contemporary African society, highlighting the choices individuals make between cultural continuity and adaptation.
The poems on which the play is based are widely studied across African universities and theatre circles, making the production significant for students, cultural advocates and arts enthusiasts.
Tickets are available through Tix Africa and Ariiya Tickets, with limited seating announced by organisers.