7/6/2023 0 Comments Isale eko songPlaces like the Bight of Benin, the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, the Badagry Slave Port and a host of other interesting cultural sites have been sporadically mentioned in the play.Ī media tour of Lagos by a team of mainstream UK-based journalists is being organized to take place at the same time the play is being staged at the MUSON this Easter. For this reason, the producers have strategically placed and made mention of cultural sites in the play. The producers of Isale Eko are also using the play as a ‘pull factor’ in these times of ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ campaign to boost international tourism into Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general thereby helping to broaden the revenue base of government with this inflow. By raising such awareness, there is possibility of pitching Lagos on the international tourism map using these Nigerians as the first trigger. The idea behind the UK show is to take an authentic story and heritage to the over two million second generation Nigerians who do not have any idea of their heritage or their story with a view to triggering inward tourism. It is the womb that gave birth to what is today known as modern Lagos and as such its story and history must be preserved and celebrated in all its glory.Īlready a British team of producers led by leading PR firm Coco Orange and frontline Nigerian-born British entertainment entrepreneur, Tola Ogunbola are working on staging the production in the UK in November. To the producers, Isale Eko remains the bowl of our civilization, with its early contact with the Europeans. Isale Eko is the acknowledged downtown homestead of the indigenes of Lagos which now spreads across different communities with a variegated heritage of over 400 years in Central Lagos.Įxecutive Producer of the play Olisa Adibua said he believes that Lagos being the famed Centre of Excellence and Isale Eko deserve to be celebrated in this manner. All these would be served to the audience with the sweet sounds of modern day Nigerian love songs allowing the audience to swallow this appetizing feast with the ease. It is a story that will drive into the audience a rash of emotions as they would cry at the seeming tragedy that befalls Akitoye a leading protagonist, laugh at the comedic turn of Madam Tinubu as she strategically plays a balancing act between the warring Akitoye and Kosoko ruling families and then get touched by the wonderful romance between the aggressive yet soft Kosoko who finds a Bini damsel too ‘hot’ to resist. It leans lightly on historical facts while placing a fictional romance in the story, giving it it’s needed depth and comedic twists and turns. Isale Eko tells the story of Lagos in a way that has never been told. Others that have been approached and would soon be joining the cast include the very beautiful Adesuwa Etomi fresh from her box office smash, ‘The Wedding Party’ and the very much sought after, RIchard Mofe-Damijo whose good image has been recently through the Opa Williams film ‘The Three Wise Men’. Some of the most iconic actors like Jide Kosoko, Patrick Doyle, Abiola Atanda popularly known as Madam Kofo have signed up to be part of this production. Using a mix of modern day music and pop culture, the story of ancient Lagos is told with the flair only a talented writer and stage director, William Benson. Isale Eko berths at the MUSON Centre in Onikan-Lagos this Easter Working with a stellar cast of producers including Nseobong Okon-Ekong, the award-winning journalist and Editor of THISDAY Glitterati, the influential society pull-out of THISDAY Newspapers and versatile actor Yemi Shodimu who was recently in the powerful movie, ‘93 Days’, the production is a fictional showcase of 14th century Lagos in an excitedly written play which uses song and dance to tell the story of Lagos in the throes of the slave trade, power struggle between influential families and an abiding yet illicit romance. Legendary show business impresario Olisa Adibua partnering with investment banker and newspaper columnist Joseph Edgar are bringing on stage an exciting stage play about Lagos titled, ‘Isale Eko’ as part of the celebration of Lagos on the 50th anniversary of the creation of Lagos State.
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