‘Return of Jero’ reimagines Soyinka’s classic

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A contemporary adaptation of Professor Wole Soyinka’s classic play, ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’, captivated audiences in Lagos as ‘Return of Jero’ premiered at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan.

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The production, staged on Saturday, July 25, formed part of activities marking Soyinka’s 92nd birthday and the 40th anniversary of his Nobel Prize in Literature.

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Produced by playwright, Babatunde Odubanwo, the play reinterprets Soyinka’s iconic prophet within the realities of present-day Nigeria, exploring themes of religion, politics, social media, commerce and public morality.

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While retaining the wit, satire and social commentary of the original work, the adaptation incorporated contemporary characters, music, choreography and modern visual storytelling to engage a new generation of theatre lovers.

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The performance attracted diplomats, theatre practitioners, academics, students, media professionals and cultural enthusiasts, who applauded the production’s blend of humour and social critique.

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Speaking after the performance, Odubanwo described the play as an artistic dialogue between generations.

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According to him, the production was conceived not merely as an adaptation but as a cultural bridge that introduces younger audiences to Soyinka’s literary legacy while offering older audiences a fresh perspective on a familiar classic.

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He said, “We wanted audiences to recognise that the issues Soyinka examined decades ago have not disappeared. They have simply evolved. Theatre remains one of the most powerful mediums for provoking thought, preserving culture and inspiring meaningful conversations.”

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He added that the production demonstrated the timeless relevance of Soyinka’s work by addressing issues such as leadership, faith, integrity and societal values through a contemporary lens.

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“Our objective was to reinterpret a literary classic in a way that resonates with today’s generation while preserving the brilliance of the original,” he added.

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Odubanwo also expressed appreciation to Soyinka for approving the adaptation and acknowledged the contributions of the cast, crew, production team, sponsors, technical partners and media organisations.

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The production featured immersive stagecraft, live musical performances, choreography and elaborate costumes, with audiences responding enthusiastically to the performances and storytelling.

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According to the producers, the successful premiere has opened discussions on staging additional performances, institutional collaborations and festival appearances to bring the production to audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

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The producers noted that the adaptation reflects the growing confidence of Nigeria’s contemporary theatre industry, demonstrating that classic African literary works can be reimagined without losing their philosophical depth or cultural significance.

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