By ESTHER FAROYE
A team from the National Troupe left Nigeria for Israel last week to be part of a one week long theatre festival. The team comprises the Artistic Director, Mr. Martin Adaji, the guest director Professor, Segun Ojewuyi , three actors sourced from the theatre community and three crew members including a stage manager and technical director.

While in Israel, the troupe will stage Femi Osofisan’s short play ‘The Engagement’.  Perhaps one of Professor Osofisan’s least performed plays, ‘The Engagement’ is an adaptation of Anton chekhovs short play titled, ‘The Marriage Proposal’.

Rehearsal of the play, The Engagement

Directed for the National Troupe by Professor Segun Ojewuyi,, ‘The Engagement’ explores the intricate nature of human relationship.  It humourously explores the many conflict surrounding the idea of ownership and the tendency of man to engage in some competition.

Ojewuyi who was engaged under the guest director scheme of the National Troupe is a seasoned theatre director and scholar. He is currently working on a film and multi-media documentary of Ile-Ife as the cradle of the Yoruba people.

The Troupe will stage the hilarious play that is laced with singing and dancing twice during the festival. Mr. Adaji hinted before the troupe departed that the troupe’s participation at the festival is in furtherance of the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Israel.