5 October 2008
The Jos Repertory Theatre, in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors, yesterday in Abuja staged an adaptation of the popular novel, Things Fall Apart.
The stage adaptation of the novel was part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of its publication.
Mr Patrick Oteh, the director of the play, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the play was staged to honour its author, Prof Chinua Achebe.
Oteh said Nigeria as a country could learn a lot from the play.
"The lesson the country can learn is that we have a past, there is the present and there must be a future," Oteh said.
He called on Nigerians to be courageous and resolute so as to forge a better nation.
Mr Zubairu Attah, an actor and the National Coordinator of Lawyers without Borders, Nigeria, told NAN that the novel has current relevance.
"The systematic relevance of the play is a realistic measure of what is happening in our society now.
"We need to be united and support our leaders," Attah said.
He said the calamity that befell Okonkwo - the tragic hero of the play - had befallen some Nigerian leaders because of disunity and mischief.
"What happened to Okonkwo was similar to what happened to the late MKO Abiola because he craved for change," Attah added.
The drama recorded a large turnout, especially of foreigners, who watched with rapt attention.
Mr Ivan Paneff from France described the play as interesting adding, "It's an opportunity to see how Nigerian theatre could mix traditional and modern cultures."
Sarah Solva from Portugal simply said: "I enjoyed it very much."
Monica Gonzalez from Spain also gave kudos to the performance. "I'm new in Nigeria, although I could not understand most of what they said, I really enjoyed it."
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