For Abiola Akindele and Eyimofe Adetola Jerry- Adesewo, their sterling performance over the weekend will no doubt remain a debut to remember should they stay within that career path. It was Arojah Royal Theatre’s second show of the 2015 theatre season, and a special event tagged Kongi’s Harvest 1, in honour of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka whose 81st birthday anniversary highlighted activities in the literary world this July.
Following on their excellent season opener in May with Ben Tomoloju’s Flowers Introspect, the Abuja based outfit staged Childe Internationale and performances of a selection of Wole Soyinka’s poems where the two youngsters shown like a bright morning star. Abiola Akindele who played the lead role, Titi (pronounced as Tity by her ‘been to’ mother.) in the play directed by Oluwaseun Odukoya is a 16 years old, third year student of Bowen University where she is studying Micro Biology.
Her characterisation of the spoilt little brat, Titi wowed the audience. She was absolutely excellent
and her accent, faultless. It was her first time on the big stage and she ceased it with both hands. “Being my first time on a professional stage, I must say that it wasn’t easy but thanks to my directors, Mr. Adesewo Fayaman Bay and Seun Odukoya who nurtured me to this point of perfection.” She said. Responding to the question on the similarity or otherwise between Abiola Akindele and the character Titi, she responded with a smile on her face. “Abiola and Titi are two different personalities.
Abiola is quite and respectful while Titi is a spoilt little brat with an accent to add.” She added “Transforming from Abiola to Titi wasn’t easy at all but as I was about to mount the stage, I tapped into my childish side, sprinkle a little bit of attitude and viola! Titi was born!” With such out of this world performance, there is no doubting the fact that Abiola Akindele has a future ahead of her. This much was corroborated by Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo, Founder and Artistic Director of Arojah Royal Theatre.
“She’s got talent no doubt. She’s got what it takes to lighten up both the stage and screen. The most important thing is that she’s a fast learner,” said the producer of Kongi’s Harvest 1. He added, “Sometime around April/May, I got a call from a young girl looking for a theatre where she can spend her vacation.
I asked her to come to our meeting venue at an appointed date and that was the beginning of her sojourn into the world of professional acting.” As part of the annual Wole Soyinka birthday production tagged Kongi’s Harvest, Adesewo Fayaman Bay directed a selection of Wole Soyinka’s poems rendered by members of the theatre outfit and among them, young Eyimofe Adetola Jerry-Adesewo who rendered the poem ‘I Think it Rains’. With musical accompaniment, Eyimofe who turns eleven later this month gave life to the poem on stage.
Her diction, interpretation and demonstration aided the understanding of the poem and earned her standing ovation from the audience. “This is my first time on the big stage. I have performed twice at the Association of Nigerian Authors session at the French Cultural Centre and at the Korea-Nigeria Poetry Feast.
That is in addition to performances in my school and church. However, this represents my most important outing and I must say I enjoyed it.” She said. Eyimofe, who is the daughter of Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo said she is considering following her father’s footstep. “I am just moving from JSS 1 to JSS 2, so for now, it’s about my education. One of my aspirations in life is to become a renowned writer, actor and theatre producer. I want to follow my dad’s footsteps. I have started writing my own poems and short stories. If there is anything to take away from that event by Arojah Royal Theatre at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, it is the potentials of these two youngsters who are currently the youngest members of the Abuja outfit.
