Lucid Magazine - Intelligent New Journalism

iya-ile (the first wife)

By Sylvia Arthur

Tiata Fahodzi's production of Oladipo Agboluaje's tale of lust, greed and politics is a rip roaring success from start to finish. Featuring a pulsating, politically-charged soundtrack from Nigerian musical legends Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, the idealism of youth, the desperation of poverty and the scandal of infidelity and corruption are all captured in Agboluaje’s sharp script and Femi Elufowoju, Jr’s dynamic direction. Ìyà-Ilé takes the audience on a journey to the heart of Nigeria – the sights, sounds and politics – told through the story of one family’s gradual disintegration.

It’s 1989 in Lagos. Political hysteria and social change are sweeping Nigeria. Chief Adeyemi’s wife Toyin is turning 40 and, behind the mansion walls, the household is preparing for her party. But there are other distractions. Their troublesome sons, returning from college, are more interested in seduction and starting revolutions than their parents’ disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile, Helen, the ambitious house girl, is waiting for her chance….

The strength of Ìyà-Ilé lies in the storytelling and the

wholly believable characters - how the different layers

of the various character’s personalities and motivations

unfold and reveal themselves. It boasts a stellar

ensemble cast with notable performances by Antonia

Okonma as Mrs Toyin Adeyemi, Estella Daniels as

Helen and Babatundé Aléshé as Yinka Adeyemi. The

production also benefits from a fantastic, authentic set

design. One caveat for those unfamiliar with pidgin

English is that some of the dialogue may be difficult to

comprehend but this doesn’t hinder the overall

enjoyment of the play.