Londoners are in luck! The stage adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is set for a 2-week run at the Arcola Theatre in London from June 7 to June 21. Femi Elufowoju jr. is directing.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives was originally published in 2010 by Cassava Republic. A year later British-born Nigerian director and performer Femi Elufowoju jr. found the book at a second-hand book store. Intrigued by the title, he bought it, read it, and fell in love with it. By 2015, he was in Lagos directing the world-premier of the stage play, written by Rotimi Babatunde and performed at the Ake Arts and Book Festival.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is a riotously funny and gripping story about a man caught in web of secrets woven by his wives. The novel is amazing. Read it! But also watch the play. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is one of those stories that are beautiful as fiction but that also make for powerful stage performances. As director, Elufowoju jr.  interprets the story through his own unique vision. His integration of dance and music really takes the narrative to a whole new place and gives the viewer a completely different experience of the story.

The cast is all round spectacular. But Nigerians readers would recognize Marcy Dolapo Oni. The Lago-based talkshow host and vlogger plays Bolanle, the fifth and youngest wife.

If you’re in London, see this! Buy tickets here. Meanwhile, check out some rehearsal photos and watch the lovely video of the cast members rehearsing and sharing their thoughts on the project.

 


 

Images via Broadway World.