Today, late dramatist Wale Ogunyemi returns for honour in ‘The Divorce’ at the MUSON Centre

“It is now just over twenty years since Wale Ogunyemi’s death, and to commemorate this, Femog Productions decided to stage his most popular play, titled ‘The Divorce‘ for audiences in Nigeria… The play is uprooted from 1974 and planted in the year 2022, against the backdrop of economic hardship and shifting etiquettes in social relations and spousal affairs.  Gender equality in marriage is a serious issue requiring conscious re-thinking of the beliefs and issues raised in the production‘

AFTER months of planning and three weeks of intense rehearsals, the day is dawned for the presentation of Wale Ogunyemi’s THE DIVORCE by Femog Productions, the United Kingdom-based theatre company headlined by the actor-director, Femi Ogunjobi.

At 3pm and 7pm at the Agip Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos, theatre patrons and lovers of good ol’stage shows would be thrilled by the performances of such A-lister actors as Norbert ‘Jerha Young, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Soibiifa Dokubo, Inna Erizia, Afiz Oyetoro (aka Saka on TV soaps), Michael Okorie, Emmanuel ‘Boisala’ Onitiri, Aishat Onitiri (lead of the film Sidi Ilujinle), and others.

“The Divorce is a domestic comedy based on the study of contemporary life of the Nigerian elitist group. It raises issues around half measures in both prestigious social commitments and the matrimonial homes. A story of a nagging wife, a jealous and indignant husband, the other man, and a tantalising office girl,” states the production note to the presentation.

But today’s event goes beyond the performance, it is a gift of honour in memory of the famous dramatist, actor and director, Chief Wale Ogunyemi, who passed on 20 years ago.

The production note says: “It is now just over twenty years since Wale Ogunyemi’s death, and to commemorate this, Femog Productions decided to stage his most popular play, titled The Divorce for audiences in Nigeria.”

“The theme of this version of the play is celebration. It is the celebration of the institution of marriage as a cornerstone for nation building,” stated the director of the play, UK-based Ogunjobi, who is playing the lead, Sanmi Ajao.

He said he decided to return home to stage the play to “honour someone who was more than a motivator to me and many theatre artists of my generation, he was more than a teacher or model, he was like a father to me personally”, Ogunnobi said yesterday, in an interview on Kulture Train of the online Spirit of Nigeria Radio, SNR.

Continued Ogunjobi:  “Why The Divorce: “Wale Ogunyemi was a prolific playwright, scholar and a charismatic actor on stage, film, and television. His dramatic piece, LANGBODO – an adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s English translation of DO Fagunwa’s novel, Ògbójú Ọdẹ nínú Igbó Irúnmọlẹ̀, was Nigeria’s entry at the 2^nd Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, otherwise known as Festac ’77.

On his directorial approach to the play, Ogunjobi says, “It is always a pleasure to create Theatre in Lagos Nigeria. As you watch this version of The Divorce, it is my hope that we can reconnect with the dramatic world of Wale Ogunyemi the master playwright. The play is uprooted from 1974 and planted in the year 2022, against the backdrop of economic hardship and shifting etiquettes in social relations and spousal affairs.  Gender equality in marriage is a serious issue requiring conscious re-thinking of the beliefs and issues raised in the production.”

About Femog Productions

Femog Productions is a professional play production company based in the United Kingdom.

The company specialises in drama presentations and focuses on plays promoting African culture both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

The primary objective of the production company is to present quality theatre productions periodically.

Cast List

Profiles of cast and crew

Norbert Young as Inspector Dabiri: A veteran of the performing arts industry both on stage and screen He has appeared in TV series such as Checkmate, Third Eye, Tinsel, and Family Circle amongst others.  Perhaps one of the most recognisable faces of Nigerian cinema and stage actors of his generation.

Binta Ayo Mogaji as Mama: A household name in cinema and stage in Nigeria.She is a veteran actress, producer, and director who has been featured in many films, television, and stage productions.  She has an electrifying stage presence which endears her to the audience and makes her characters believable and easy to identify with.

Afiz Oyetoro as Inspector Dabiri: Known for his comic roles in Nollywood movies, and as the popular Saka in many Television drama, Afiz has featured in several Nigerian films. He is currently a senior lecturer in the department of Theatre Arts Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Lagos State. Afiz also plays Inspector Dabiri in this show.

Soibifaa Dokubo as Patrick: Best Male Actor, ZAFAA Global Awards (STIGMA) 2015, Best supporting Actor Nominee, AMVCA 2016 (STIGMA), Saibiifa’s journey as an artiste and documentary photographer has spanned several years. His drive is to be a reference point whose techniques are worth discussing and studying in the history of performing arts in Nigeria.

Inna Erizia as Tayo: She has been performing in the theatre in various capacities for over two decades. She featured in the 1994 production of Wole Soyinka’s Death and “The King’s Horseman” as directed by Jide Ogungbade. She also played Queen Funmilayo in Fela and “The Kalakuta Queens”.

Michael Okorie as Michael: A University of Lagos Theatre Arts graduate and Master of Arts degree holder, Michael has been actively involved in theatre and entertainment in the past 20 years. He hosted Konkere Extension with Tunji Sotimirin for six years on UNILAG FM.  One of the most hardworking stage and production managers in the Lagos theatre circuit, he was the project manager of Felabration in 2017, the assistant project manager of Felabration in 2018 and 2019; nad has been Stage Manager for the 23-year-old, Lagos Book & Art Festival, LABAF in past four editions

Aishat Onitiri as Kofo: An actor, dancer and a Fashion Designer, trained t the Crown Troupe of Africa, Aishat has performed locally and internationally and she’s worked with notable nigerian directors and producers both on screen and stage. She played Sidi in Tunde Kelani’s Sidi Ilujinle, a film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s classic, Lion and the Jewel.

Elizabeth Bariyah James as Rita: The CEO/MD of Tridav Productions, Eizabeth is an actor, singer and song writer, content creator/developer. She has acted in Super Story, This life (A Wale Adenuga Productions), Middlemen (An African Magic Production), Heaven’s Gate (A Zik Zulu Okafor production), Desperate Housewives Africa (2015- Ebony Life Production), Behind the Siege (a Tade Ogidan Production) and several stage plays.

Joy Princess Akrah as Rita: A versatile theatre artist who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Lagos, Joy’s performing career spans over two decades. She has performed in several plays such as Jankariwo, No more the wasted breed, Kongi’s Harvest, Death and Kings Horseman, Unstable, and Castles in the Air.

Joy Nweye:A theatre graduate of the University of Lagos, Joy has a first degree in Creative Arts, with an MA in Design and Management. She has participated actively in stage and screen productions within and outside Lagos Nigeria. She is the project coordinator and stage manager for The Divorce.

Emmanuel Adejumo: Popularly known as Boisala, born into the family of Hon. Moses Olaiya Adejumo aka Baba Sala, Emmanuel is a dance artiste, choreographer, comedian, director and musician with over 30 years in the theatre business. He has directed and stage-managed plays both at home and abroad. He works with the National Troupe of Nigeria and runs his production company called House of Dance Nigeria. A member of NANTAP and GONDP. He is the Stage Manager of The Divorce