Death and The King's Horseman,
Directed by Wole Soyinka,
The Crucible Theatre,
Sheffield. Feb 3rd -8th
It’s rare that I can be tempted into a theatre, and until last night - unheard of for me to venture out for a play I know nothing about. A friend mentioned a little over a week ago they had a small non speaking part and aside from describing it as being a “really interesting piece of work, based on a true story” said no more. I decided to throw caution to the wind, book a ticket and resist the urge to look into things, or prepare myself for what might lie ahead.
Pleasingly, it took a full 42 mumbled apologetic thanks to reach my seat before I was able to cast my gaze upward from shins and shoes, and take my seat. Before the house lights were dropped, the usual cacophony of chatter was low, the stage was not in darkness, the cast already there creating their world, as the audience filed in - if we consider the stage a portal, to another time and place our the audience had the choice, to suspend their attention and travel to that realm, or focus inward on their own lives until the expectation to sit up and watch descended upon them with the dropping of lights.
Death and The King's Horseman is perhaps a challenging piece of Art, this is a play that sparks introspection and stands as a reminder that just as every raindrop has the potential to cause a flood, we’re all part of something greater. There are no Heroes or Villains in this tale, good does not conquer evil, rather personal choice or the judgement of others overrides empathy and the losses for all are palpable.
Of course, none of this would carry over so well, were the production not so well executed. The scale of work put in by Utopia Productions shows, and the audience are treated to a play that thematically remains as relevant today as it was when it was written, close to 50 years ago. A play which, given the minimal use of props places a heavy reliance on the power of the performances, has been expertly cast and is testimony to all involved. For those on stage to inhabit characters so wholly, and give them life with such humanity and authenticity is a form of trickery I’ll never possess. Anyone with a good voice and confidence can recite lines and sing, the talent within this production more than exceeds expectations. Wale Ojo captures so perfectly the essence of Elesin Oba, bringing life to the character that somehow transcends mere ‘acting’. It has been many years since a performance has left me with so much to consider, or moved me so intensely.
Given it’s short run, I sincerely hope this returns to The Crucible, or is picked up by other Theatres around the country, it is only knowing that I prevent another from this experience that has held me back from booking another seat at one of the few remaining shows.
Essential Information
Death and The King's Horseman,
The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Feb 3rd -8th
Sheffield Theatre Events LIstings, here
