Theatre / African culture
Ayodele Scott and David Evans present ‘Agbo play’ exploring their African childhoods
A tradition from Sierra Leone, ‘Agbo play’ is intended to be “a playful and restorative experience” that brings performers and audiences together through communal singing, chanting, drumming, laughter and applause.
Devon-based Imùlè Theatre will be bringing their play Native Wit to the Tobacco Factory Snug on July 10-14, drawing on the Agbo sensibility to create a unique theatrical performance each time, based on selections randomly drawn by an audience member.
The company was founded in 1990 by David Evans, underpinned by an aim “to explore the relationship between colonialism, the environment and indigenous cultures”.
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Ayodele Scott and David Evans – photo: Imùlè Theatre
He was joined four years later by renowned drummer and dancer, Ayodele Scott, who introduced his indigenous theatre-making approach from the Sierra Leonean capital Freetown, where he grew up.
Together, their performance style is characterised by a spirit of love and joy. Native Wit is described as a patchwork of their respective formative memories from their African childhoods, brought together in a “hilarious, humane and ultimately life-affirming” way.
Imùlè Theatre: Native Wit is at The Snug, Tobacco Factory Theatres on July 10-14. Visit www.tobaccofactory.com for details.
All photos: Imùlè Theatre
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