Chux Ohai
Back from a successful tour of the United States of America, courtesy of Harvard University’s American Repertory Theatre, where they performed before enthusiastic audiences, the cast and crew of the acclaimed play, Hear Word! Naija Woman Talk True, led by the Director and Producer, Ifeoma Fafunwa, deemed it fit to share their collective experience in a briefing and cocktail held recently in Lagos.
The event provided members of the cast, comprising seasoned actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Ufuoma McDermott, Elvina Ibru, Rita Edward and Zara Udofia-Ejoh, among others, an opportunity to call for change in the country.
Calling on the womenfolk in the country to participate in active politics, Fafunwa pledged that the cast would support any woman interested in seeking an elective position in government on the condition that her policies would positively affect women and children.
Noting that women in Nigeria could use their numerical strength to their advantage by coming together to support and vote such a candidate, she said, “We know that we can mobilise a lot of women to vote. If we do this we will be able to affect change.”
Fafunwa also disclosed to the gathering that Hear Word! had attracted a lot of interest from theatre lovers and critics around the world so much that letters had been received from different parts of the world, including Brazil, Britain, Canada and Australia, inviting the cast to perform in those countries.
“We believe that we will be touring. We found that the message we are bringing is universal and relevant. There is a global movement now towards gender equality. Given that, we believe that we are going to be moving around the world for the next three years,” she said.
Ajai-Lycett commended members of the cast of the play for their various roles in the success of the American tour.
Describing the all-female cast as the ‘best of Nigeria’, she said, “We took the best of Nigeria abroad and we surprised everybody there. We ought to be very proud of all the members of the cast. It was an incredible experience. This trip was very special. The cast worked very hard and the camaraderie that we had was so special.
“You know there is always talk about women being their own enemies. But in this group every woman was her sister’s keeper.”
Ajai-Lycett also urged every Nigerian to pay more attention to the theatre. “This is where the intellectual narrative is being made. We have to move from the carnal to the intellectual because the human mind is everything. We want people to start thinking about changing Nigeria. We want to change Nigeria. We have started changing Nigeria intellectually and this is where they should join us.”
The play is an exciting piece of performance art that combines artistry, social commentary and true-life stories of inequality and transformation delivered by some of Nigeria’s most talented actresses.
It is based on the real life experiences of Nigerian women. The play targets real issues affecting the lives of these women, which limit their potential for achievement, independence, decision-making and leadership.
It also delivers an intimate view into the lives of women from all corners of Nigeria and crossing a variety of socio-economic levels, as well as providing a better understanding of the issues they face and shares their unique and universal challenges.
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source http://punchng.com/cast-of-hear-word-call-for-social-change/
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