In celebration of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s 91st birthday, the internationally acclaimed stage play The Noble Warrior (Ẹni Ogun) will return to the stage in Lagos for a three-day run from July 11 to 13, 2025. Written and produced by Nigerian-American playwright and cultural producer Cash Onadele, also known as Aiye-ko-ooto, the production will take place at the historic Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island, with two shows daily—a 3:00 PM matinee and a 6:00 PM champagne show.

Described as a “Black musical masterpiece théâtre”, The Noble Warrior blends music, dance, and drama into a suspense-filled spectacle that honors Soyinka’s towering literary and political legacy. Following successful premieres in 2024 at the Cultural Centre in Abeokuta and the MUSON Centre in Lagos, this year’s production promises a richer, more immersive experience. “The songs vibrate with the audience,” Onadele said at a press briefing, as reported by This Day, noting that the 2025 edition will feature an expanded cast and new artistic experiments under the direction of Segun Adefila, who returns as artistic director.

“This is more than a tribute,” Onadele emphasized. “It is a celebration of legacy and a push toward the future of Nigerian theatre.”

Backed by endorsements from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), The Noble Warrior is part of a growing cultural movement to anchor African narratives at the center of global theatrical innovation. Onadele also shared plans for a touring campus edition, with discounted ticketing for students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and potentially the University of Ibadan, to encourage youth engagement and cultural education. “This initiative, focused on youth development and integration, is a key way the production aims to give back,” he said.

This year’s production also introduces souvenir books, branded merchandise, and a more robust multimedia campaign to deepen audience engagement. With 45 cast members and a five-person crew, the show is poised to be a high-energy celebration of African storytelling, powered by rhythm, heritage, and theatrical brilliance.

Onadele—whose body of work includes the ethnographic drama Blood of Freedom and over 55 stories across genres—continues to draw from a wellspring of creative depth rooted in Yoruba philosophy and diasporic identity. Known for his prolific literary output, including 52 poetry anthologies in the Odo-Alamo Series, he sees The Noble Warrior as a vehicle for sustaining Soyinka’s legacy and exploring other works in the future, such as Moriti Ometa, Ajogi (The Foreigner), Orita Meta, and Ajoji, as reported by This Day.

Tickets for The Noble Warrior are now available at www.syndk8ml.com.