As I head towards London UK for my Play Kashimawo, Ladi Kwali flashed through my mind
Ladi Kwali was a stage play written and directed by the famous Prof Ojo Bakare
It was a play on the hugely talented Potter, Ladi Kwali who is honoured with her image on the N20 note
I loved the story because it came with some powerful themes – barrenness, female empowerment, in-law issues, entrepreneurship, ambition, and delayed gratification.
Prof Ojo had written a beautiful script and rehearsals were simply magnificent.
Then show day came and people didnt turn up.
It was like some people had hit my face with a huge bowl of cold eba
I stood at the gates of the Muson as people trickled in
We had less than 20 people in the hall and for a hall that seats over 300, the failure was massive
This was the first time it was happening to me, an empty hall
I walked inside and saw empty seats spread out like a huge wide empty desert
Where did we get it wrong. The publicity was top mark, the target audience was identified and attacked but still, nobody came
After the curtain call, Prof Ojo came on stage and i looked at him with small pity
He was deflated and close to tears. He did all he could not to accuse me to my face of negligence and not promoting the play as best as i could.
I hugged him and told him not to worry that we will bounce back and walked away
I felt personally humiliated. This was not his fault but mine. Lagosians simply just ignored me and this made me really angry.
I enjoy failure as it has been part of my career trajectory but failing this remarkably and in the public eye was too much to bare.
I drove off and left the fucking hall and went home to my couch to just lay down there and watch…… , removing myself from that crap.
The next day was Zik and Nigerians came out in their drove and filled up the 1,000 capacity Shell Hall.
I looked at all of them and hated them wondering why they didn’t come out just the previous day and now carrying their big heads to come out now just the next day.
I called Prof Ojo and he was already on his way back to Ekiti – I told him not to worry himself that we will deliver a better outing next time
Prof Ojo and I later went on to deliver the stupendously successful Fajuyi in both Ekiti and Lagos and attracted all former Governors of Ekiti state except the big headed Fayose
We also went on to deliver the monstrous Ekiti International Theatre Festival which broke all records.
Prof Ojo and I are now taking Kashimawo to London this October 4th and 5th.
Please dont let Prof Ojo cry again o, oya come out Londoners and see this most spectacular play, dont come for me, come for Prof cos I no get power to carry Ekiti man wey dey cry come back Lagos
Send shaw-theatre.com to someone to get the tickets
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu