BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

In recent times, there have been concerted efforts aimed at discovering talents early in children especially in the area of stage performances both by schools and non academic organizations. Such efforts have seen the young ones reenacting before the public, best selling works of literary icons in Nigeria and Africa.

One of such talent discovery exercises was the stage performance of late Prof. Zulu Sofola’s King Emene by Dawn of A New Era drama club of Atlantic Hall School, Lagos, and held weekend at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre Lagos.

Parents and their children including guests, defied the heavy down pour as they trouped to the venue of the show with great enthusiasm and the show as many expressed at the end, was worth the hassles and the ticket.

Adding glamor to the play which was produced and directed by Gboyega Jerome were well made costumes that suited each act and scene, the stage accessories were perfect and the lighting well distinguished the stage from the rest of the Hall.

Also, the make up was not badly done at all as some of the young actors were made to appear like elders, while the cast appeared tailor-made for the roles. And to crown it all, the young actors and actresses who were selected from different classes saw themselves interpreting their roles like professionals. The drummers headed by Gboyega added African flavour to the drama as they entertained during a well coordinated cultural dance and also drummed while ushering a new scene or act.

Superb performance
To say the least, the students put up a superb performance and the Prof if she were to be alive would truly be proud of the young artistes for reminding the audience who filled the hall to the brim, of the essence of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country as documented in King Emene.

A scene from the play

King Emene narrates the tragic story of an over ambitious Queen mother (Nneobi) who murders her step son who is the rightful heir to the throne so that her own son becomes King. It is customary for the King to transform into a god and enters the shrine to carry the problems of his citizens to their God during a tradition in the land known as Peace Week.

According to the tradition, the King must be pure and undefiled and the oracle together with the goddess of the kingdom must confirm that all is well before the King enters the shrine. The King is advised not to enter the Peace week except there is a public confession of the murder and an accompanying purification of the throne. Rather than heed the advice of the elders, the King sees the advice as a plot to destroy him. He dies as a result.

There was a well coordinated suspense on who actually committed the sacrilege. The King’s rage and attitude towards the messengers of the gods actually portrayed him as the culprit.

A solemn silence however hit the entire Hall when eventually, Nneobi confesses of being the killer. But it was already too late; the King pays with his life.

There wouldn’t have been a more appropriate time for the show than a period when children all over the world were celebrated. In line with this, the director who spoke shortly after the performance appeared highly fulfilled that the children did not disappoint.

He said,” We started this journey over five years ago but there was never a plan for its public presentation because of the fear that the students may not be able to perform to expectations. But I was able to convince the school that the training I have given them is enough to make them put up an amazing performance.”

King Emene’s reenactment was the first major outing for the Atlantic Hall School and the choice of the book according to Gboyega was informed by the fact that the drama is one of the recommended literature books in the school which has lessons to be drawn from and also, cuts across all ages.

Fifteen year old Ife Akingbade (Nneobi) an SS2 student who exceptionally interpreted her role could not hide her excitement about the performance and according to her, “I feel I have been able to achieve one of my heart desires” adding that her vision is to see herself in Hollywood in future.

While 14 year old Ebuka Ihejirika (King) sees being part of the act as something that will help his performance in future, Maduagwu Chidera (King) both in SS2 who described himself as an all round student decided to be serious with acting because “one can never be too sure how life goes in future”.

The originator of the club Mr. Andrew Jedras who expressed great relieve that the performance which had taken five years to organize, had finally ended successfully, noted that the show was part of education for the students who are being groomed to be confident and well prepared to face the future.