University of Sierra Leone (Fourah Bay College, IPAM and COMAHS) Theatre group will on Saturday February 12, 2022 present total arts performance titled: ‘The Throne’ at the Freetown City Council auditorium in Freetown
‘The Throne’ is a play written by Farouk Sesay, a Sierra Leone writer, poet, and journalist. The play was directed by Momodu Jalloh aka Beejay, the president of University of Sierra Leone Theatre Group.
‘The Throne’ dialogues about power, gender equality, hatred, and African tradition.
According to the synopsis, the demise of the King of Norkorba sets in motion a flurry of rituals and intrigues to determine the successor to the throne. The elders prefer Bonke, the King’s eldest son who lives abroad, to succeed the King. The elders use ancient rituals to lure him home amidst celebration and funfair. However, the discovery that he is in a same-sex marriage goes against the customs of the land and stall the crowning ceremony. The impasse emboldens his sister Bura to challenge his suitability to take the throne. Bura’s gender equally makes her unfit for the throne in the elders’ eyes.
Jalloh said that the event is aimed at reviving theatre and showcasing talents of students at the University of Sierra Leone.
He added, “The event is also aiming at not only to transform academic works of students through creativity but to also bring back our literature.”
Jalloh said they realized that in Sierra Leone, staging theatre was almost at its end, and that to bring it back, they had to in 2020 established the group for the benefit of the country, adding that the group comprise young people. “We want to promote our culture, show Sierra Leonean arts, culture and tourism to the international world through theatre,” he said.
He said that people, mostly the younger generations, witnessing such event would enhance their understanding, broaden their thinking about their land and its cultures and also improve their creativities.
Jalloh is a 24-year experienced actor who had nurtured over hundred actors and actresses across the country. He has not only limited his nurturing to his group but across the schools in Sierra Leone.
“I want to make sure that even the kids understand our culture and heritage through theatre, so I have been staging concerts in various schools across the country during their thanksgiving and other school festivals. Let us support creativity in Sierra Leone,” he concluded.
Amie Conteh, a student of F.B.C who is also a member of the theatre group, said that she being part of the group was a dream comes true. She said being a shy person, she had developed confidence since she joined the group, saying, “I want to become a public figure and the only way to achieve that quality, is to be part of such group. I appeal to the government and other stakeholders in Sierra Leone to support theatre. ”
By Ibrahim S. Bangura