Wedlock of the gods, a postcolonial play centered on breaking the oppression of tradition in a male-led society is set to be staged at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dramatic Arts on October 1.
That is Nigeria’s Independence Day.
This was announced by Bayo Akinfemi, an assistant professor of Theatre Practice at the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
Akinfemi is also a two-time Best Actor GEMINI nominee for Human Cargo and The Border. He said that this is the birth of more engagements with the African community.
“Please join us at this first of its kind special event as the USC School of Dramatic Arts welcomes and celebrates Nigeria’s Independence day. It’s the beginning of a more robust engagement between USC and the African community,” the post said.
The three-act play was authored by Dr. Nwazuluoha Onuekwueke Sofola, fondly known as Zulu Sofola, Nigeria’s first published female playwright and dramatist.
She was also Africa’s first female Professor of Theatre Arts. Her works condemn the mistreatment of women in the African society,
She is often times described as a “liberal feminist”.
In Wedlock of the Gods not only did Ogwoma try to break out of her culture and tradition to marry the one she loves, she also tried to break out of the male dominated society to stay true to herself.
The author made it very clear that the rules set by this traditional society were set by the dominating men but largely affected the woman.
She showcased that women have no hand in their own destiny because it is set and established by the man.
Zulu Sofola’s writing style is simplistic and her knowledge of self and pride in her heritage is demonstrated in her plays, some of which portrayed Issele-Uku culture and names.
In her plays, she shared her extraordinary knowledge of her country’s history and traditions and present circumstances, particularly as they related to women.” Zulu is renowned for giving a voice to the voiceless through poignant characters and the empowerment of women.
The play is said to celebrate the Nigerian Community and African Diaspora on Nigerian Independence Day.
Other plays written by the author King Emene, The sweet trap, Old wines are tasty.
She was for years Head of the Performing Arts of the University of Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria. She died 1995. In its summary of the play, the University of Southern California says of the play, “Taboos are broken when a young woman defies the law of the land by reconnecting with her true love following the death of a husband she was forced to marry. Full of drama, intensity and suspense, Africa’s first female professor of theatre arts, Dr. Zulu Sofola, sets William Shakespeare’s beloved classic Romeo and Juliet in Nigeria during the nineteenth century.”