Things u didn’t know about my theatre career

Did you know –

That Bolanle Austen Peters gave me the first N200k I started with after I was sacked by Nicholas

That my girlfriend at the University of Ibadan first introduced me to theatre at the famous UI theatre bf she broke my heart and cheated, which made me forget theatre for years

That Bikiya Graham Douglas reignited my passion after inviting me to her first show

That Bolanle Austen-Peters introduced me to William Benson , who has gone ahead to write and direct over 12 of my plays, the largest by anyone

That I walked up to Yemi Shodimu at Lagos TV to beg him to join Isale Eko, my early play, after being a fan since my Shomolu years

That the first sponsorship I got from First Bank, which was N200k

That Bikiya introduced me to Prof Yerima, who has done Aremu, Gowon, Emir Sanusi, Sardauna and is doing Asaba

That Herbert Wigwe is my largest single individual donor

That Chike Iroegbunam , Kola Adeshina, Ken Etete and Anchor Insurance are my most consistent

That the traditional theatre community, especially their leaders, have not accepted me and see me as a mere ‘marketer’

That Obey is looking like the fastest-selling play with over 50 tickets sold in a day, a month bf the campaign opens

An influential confidant who has sworn me to secrecy introduced me to Prof Ojo and she was the inspiration for Ladi Kwali which was writen and directed by Prof Ojo

Alibaba was the first major star who featured in my first Major production

I have hosted four major traditional rulers – Obi of Onitsha, Emir Sanusi, Dein of Agbor and Olu of Warri

We are by far the most Prolific theatre production house in the country today, with over 70 major big-budget plays

That Elvina Ibru was first picked to direct the phenomenal Anonymous Nipples, bf William Benson took it over

That I once went to Benin twice in a day to chase the late Capt Hosa for Emotan and still didn’t see him

That Chief Ibori with a phone call delived over N40m thru four of his boys for Ogiame Erejuwa

That Senator Bamidele Opeyemi is our largest single one-time donor

That His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode is the first sitting Governor to attend my play

Chief Mike Adenuga has never supported any play, even though he is a significant financial supporter of my other works

That Aliko Dangote has only supported once – Emir Sanusi, even though he is a big fan

That Femi Otedola was a significant funder of KASHIMAWO in London

That we are the largest independent employer of labour in the sector

Next year, we will use only female directors for our plays

Come and beat me

Duke of Shomolu