Women of Owu

The Centre for Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies in collaboration with the Baxter Theatre is proud to present their latest production, Women of Owu. Femi Osofisan’s remarkable Nigerian adaptation of The Trojan Women. It is set in the ancient city of Owu, described by the playwright in the note on the play’s genesis, as a model of prosperity and organization.  In about 1821 the combined armies of two Yoruba kingdoms, Ijebu and Ife along with Oyo refugees recruited as mercenaries, entered Owu after a seven-year siege, and sacked the city. In the third year of the siege, the rains stopped, weakening the once formidable city and strengthening the Allied Forces camped on the other side of the city walls. When they entered the city in the seventh year, they raised Owu to the ground, reduced it to rubble, set fire to it and killed all the male inhabitants, capturing the women of Owu as the spoils of war. The play takes place a day after the sacking of the city and in our rendition of this west African adaptation, set in a dystopic African future are the echoes of a timeless lament.  Through their rituals of protest, we come to witness the unspeakable trauma of the Women of Owu, and their tactics of subversion.

Women of Owu is set to be staged at the Baxter Flipside Theatre from Wednesday 27 October to Saturday 30 October with performances at 6pm and a matinee on Saturday 30 October at 2pm. Ticket prices for Women of Owu are R120 for general admission and R75 for students and pensioners. Booking is through Webtickets on 086 111 0005, online at www.webtickets.co.za or at Pick n Pay stores. For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities, contact Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or e-mail her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.

Venue: Baxter Theatre, Flipside

Run: Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 October 2021

Time: 6pm (with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday 30 October)

Co-directed by: Iman Isaacs & Mwenya Kabwe

Musical direction: Babalwa Zimbini Makwetu

Cast: CTDPS 4^th Final Year Acting Students

Abigail Avidon, Lisekho Bulabula, Sidne Barnett, Tayla-Rose Bisset, Nomakhosi Meveni, Caitlyn da Aparecida, Adan Fagan, Dean Goldblum, Mpumelelo Phanginxiwa, Nahum Hughes, Cwenga Koyana, Bianca Lakey, Oratile Ndimande, Daniel Newton, Lyle October, Stian Oosthuizen, Lernice Parker, Tim Stadler, James Stoffberg & Lisa Tredoux

Costume: Leigh Bishop

Lighting: Benever Arendse

Set: Lungile Cindi

For further media enquiries or picture requests please contact Fahiem Stellenboom on fahiem.stellenboom@uct.ac.za or call 021 680 3971 or Jade Adams on jade.adams@uct.ac.za or 021 680 3973.