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Death and the King's Horseman
Around the World in 80 Plays

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Don't miss Death and the King's Horseman

Death and the King's Horseman. Wole Soyinka. In partnership with The Stratford Festival.

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When an individual’s actions shake a world off its axis, how is honour restored? When a Yoruba King (Alafin) dies, the King’s horseman (Elesin) is required by tradition to accompany him into the afterlife. But this sacred ritual is interrupted, resulting in an unforeseen tragedy. Based  on actual events in British-occupied Nigeria, Wole Soyinka’s Nobel  prize-winning play shares the story of a community striving to uphold its  culture in the face of colonial power. Read the Playbill.

> Explore the 9 other plays from Nigeria to round ouT your Around the World in 80 Plays experience

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Choose, and audiences enjoy unlimited access to the audio drama from the premiere date until April 20, 2022. You will receive an email with a link to log into your account and listen to an embedded audio file through your computer or device.

Purchase a Passport Subscription and enjoy all eight productions! Around the World Passport


CBC IDEAS - NIGERIA in-depth Podcast

IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. Using Death and the King's Horseman as a launching-off point, host Nahlah Ayed sits down with artists to discuss the cultural context to understand this Nigerian drama, and what it might have to say to our contemporary Canadian context. FREE

LISTEN & LEARN MORE


EXTEND YOUR STAY

THE SIT DOWN - interview with Tawiah BEN m'Carthy

Director of Death and the King's Horseman, Tawiah Ben M’Carthy, sits down with Weyni Mengesha to discuss the ways in which this inspired work mirrors our society today and the importance of cultural representation in the Canadian theatre community.


Cameron's Picks

CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey, recommends his top Nigerian film for you to check out.

Lionheart by Genevieve Nnaji

LEARN MORE

Recorded early 2021


RECIPE from THE YOUNG CENTRE CAFE *new*

The Young Centre Cafe has prepared a recipe for you to cook while listening to Death and the King's Horseman.

Suya Spiced Chicken Wings

DOWNLOAD RECIPE


Restaurant Recommendations from Toronto LiFE

Afrobeat Kitchen features local flavours & original eats authentically inspired by West African tradition on Bloor St W.

Learn More


Spotlight from TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS - Francesca Ekwuyasi

Keeping in touch, both figuratively and physically, is a challenge during times of isolation; while physical touch – and what we touch – is now a source of fear and anxiety for many. The Dutch phrase “skin hunger” has come to prominence in recent months, encapsulating these feelings.

For the 2020 Festival, TIFA presented Skin Hunger: a new writing commission featuring original works by internationally renowned writers, in reflection on what we’ve all felt and suffered during the COVID-19 crisis. Featured here is Nigerian-Canadian author Francesca Ekwuyasi, reading her Skin Hunger piece, titled Peculiarities.

Book Recommendations from Toronto International Festival of Authors


SPOTLIGHT FROM SMALL WORLD MUSIC - Asiko

Asiko is an all-original contemporary Afrobeat band led by a master of the craft, Foly Kolade. Foly grew up and honed his musical skills in Ogidi Nigeria and moved to New York City in 2003 where he lead Asiko Afrobeat for nine years. He moved to Toronto in 2011 and slowly gathered a roster of players from the reggae, jazz, funk, and Brazilian music scenes to built the current incarnation of the band.

Since forming in Toronto, Asiko has established a record of uplifting big audiences. They have opened for Seun Kuti and have shared a bill with Antibalas, Zap Mama, Buffy St Marie, Aline Morales, Cheick Diabate, Madagascar Slim and Awa Sangho. They have headlined Afrofest and Uma Nota Festival of Tropical Expression in Toronto and have performed at Koerner Hall and Harbourfront's WestJet Stage.

Asiko’s live show is a high-energy spectacle featuring 10+ performers that incorporates Nigerian dance, percussion and costume. They specialize in making audiences get up and dance! 

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

 


ART ATTENTION FROM THE AGO

Quentin VerCetty, Art Educator at the Art Gallery of Ontario shares a piece of Nigerian art from their collection.

Headdress (late 19th-early 20th century), Labintan of Otta.


Explore Arts and Culture

Nigeria Grand Tour
Read More Visit
Rele Gallery
Lagos
Read More Visit
African Artists' Foundation
Lagos
Read More Visit
Nike Art Gallery
Abuja
Read More Visit
Thought Pyramid Art Centre
Abuja
Read More Visit
Esie Museum
Esie
Read More Visit

The Theatrical Canon - nigeria

9 OTHER PLAYS CURATED BY SOULPEPPER ARTISTS AND LOCAL SCHOLARS TO READ AND ENJOY! INQUIRE ABOUT THESE TITLES AT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OR LIBRARY. 

The Lion and the Jewel
By Wole Soyinka
Read More More
Madmen and the Specialists
By Wole Soyinka
Read More More
Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels (1983)
By Femi Osofisan
Read More More
Our Husband has Gone Mad Again
By Ola Rotimi
Read More More
Her Portmanteau
By Mfoniso Udofia
Read More More
Wedlock of the Gods (1972)
By Zulu Sofola
Read More More
The Desert Encroaches
By Osonye Tess Onwueme
Read More More
Anti-people (1987)
By Iyorwuese Hagher
More
Katakata for Sufferhead (1983)
By Segun Oyekunle
Read More More

 

All around the world and throughout history, humans have acted out the stories that are significant to them, the stories that are central to their sense of who they are, the stories that have defined their communities, and shaped their societies. When we talk about classical theatre we want to explore what that means from the many perspectives of this city. This is a celebration of our global canon.

- Weyni Mengesha, Soulpepper Artistic Director

Death and the King's Horseman is a loud, Black, and proud celebration of the interconnectedness of each of our unique contributions to our communities. Wole Soyinka reinforces the importance of listening to women and honouring their leadership. He also reminds us to be deliberate in the pursuits of our divine purposes, and to take only what we truly need along the way to our final end.

- Amaka Umeh, Performer

Soulpepper’s Around The World In 80 Plays series has become essential for theatre lovers. Imagine a mini international theatre festival for the ears, intellect and soul.

- NOW Magazine


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