On The Yoruba Travelling Theatre - with Shola Balogun
In this supporting interview to Nigerian Cinema Part 1: The Birth - Shola Balogun author of Yoruba Theatre Practice and Nollywood helps breakdown the history of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre and its contribution to Nigerian Cinema. In his paper he discusses the intertwining relationship between the development of Nigerian cinema and its roots in the Yoruba Travelling Theatre.
Since we couldn't carry out a recording due to connection issues - here's an extracted version where he answers 8 key questions in regard to The Yoruba Travelling Theatre.
What are the origins and early developments of Yoruba Traveling Theatre? The origins of Yoruba Traveling Theatre are rooted in the classicality of the Yoruba people's concepts of ritual, myths, the worship of the Orishas, and their celebratory outlook on existence. From birth to various ceremonies, Yoruba culture has long emphasized theatrical expression. This is evident in many developed city-states where theatre was highly developed, such as the Abydos Passion Plays in ancient Egypt and what Michael Henderson calls adaptive mythmaking in the Greek theatre of Dionysus and the Ramlila dramas of northern India. Yoruba Traveling Theatre was significantly influenced by this tradition and adapted elements of myth, ritual, and a deep sense of playfulness within Yoruba communities. The development of Yoruba Traveling Theatre can rightly be considered an extension of sacred traditions, Orisha worship, and the practical, dramatic expressions inherent in Yoruba culture.
What are the key elements and traditional narratives that define Yoruba Traveling Theatre?
Key elements and traditional narratives in Yoruba Traveling Theatre include the interplay of songs, music, and dance, as well as the recreation of immersive communal settings and festivals. These performances deeply explore Yoruba culture and traditions, blending indigenous material with contemporary events to create rich, dramatic storytelling.
What was the golden age of Yoruba Theatre, and who were some of its notable figures?
The golden age of Yoruba theatre was between the early 1950s and the early 1980s. This period marked the emergence of Yoruba popular theatre and notable secular performers such as Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Moses Olaiya (popularly known as Baba Sala), Oyin Adejobi, Isola Ogunshola, Akin Ogunbe, Moses Olumoyegun, and Jimoh Aliu. These artists produced confessional stage plays and organized commercial theatre productions, which were deeply connected to the indigenous Yoruba concept of performance spaces while also adopting elements of Western dramatic forms.
Yoruba Traveling Theatre took professional stage plays to villages and locations across Nigeria, especially to areas without television access, and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. This contributed significantly to increased interest in Yoruba history and culture. The entertainment aesthetics of Yoruba stage plays also facilitated the transition from stage performances to theatrical films—first on celluloid in cinema theatres, and later in video film productions.
How did Yoruba Traveling Theatre transition into the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood)?
The Nigerian film industry, now known as Nollywood, became the new theatre in post-independence Nigeria. The transition of Yoruba Traveling Theatre practitioners into film began with early African productions such as Hubert Ogunde's Aiye and Moses Olaiya's Orun Mooru, which were screened in cinema theatres across Nigeria.
The rise of television stations and the increased availability of TV sets in homes led Yoruba theatre practitioners to shift from live stage plays to film. The desire to remain relevant and appeal to elite audiences played a role in this transition. As entertainment trends evolved, Yoruba theatre practitioners adapted their work to suit modern platforms, including pay-TV channels, YouTube, and social media.
What roles do language, music, and dance play in Yoruba Traveling Theatre? Language, music, and dance are essential cultural materials and technical components of Yoruba Traveling Theatre. Their incorporation in Yoruba-language films and indigenous productions showcases the enduring presence of Yoruba Traveling Theatre’s practices and aesthetic traditions.
What are some distinctive performance techniques of Yoruba Traveling Theatre that persist today?
Yoruba tradition and culture remain central to Yoruba-language films. Elements such as improvised dialogues, melodious chants, songs and dances, Yoruba mysticism and spirituality, and the integration of repetitive humorous lines for effect are key features. Even in film, stage performance styles remain influential, demonstrating the continued impact of Yoruba Traveling Theatre techniques.
How were traditional Yoruba plays adapted for cinema during the golden age?
During the golden age, Yoruba popular theatre companies adapted traditional plays for the big screen using a mix of brilliant acting, mime, dance, melodious chants, and songs. These adaptations were designed to appeal to wider audiences while maintaining the shared cultural identity of the time.
How has Yoruba Traveling Theatre contributed to preserving Yoruba cultural identity?
Yoruba Traveling Theatre has long focused on stories rooted in Yoruba experiences, culture, and traditions. It incorporates distinctive Yoruba masked dramaturgy, indigenous aesthetics, and dramatic
