All the toasting lines we learnt from Iyalode of Eti, an adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi

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November 21, 2016 2:23 PM

"Can I play your "drum" with the skill of an ayan?"

Are you not entertained? That was the question a (probably drunk) guy asked at the end of Iyalode of Eti: An adaptation of The Duchess of Malifi by Debo Oluwatumininu.

Yes, we were definitely entertained by this West African transposition of John Webster’s masterpiece .

Set in pre-colonial Yoruba land, this is a bloody tale of love, betrayal and revenge.

The production begins with the slow-motion dance and evocative chanting of the funeral procession of Iyalode’s first husband death.

Then we are introduced to Iyalode, a young, beautiful chief – recently widowed, forbidden to re-marry by her scheming and controlling brothers, Oluawo and Oloye Olorogun. Iyalode secretly marries Oguntade her low-born lover Oguntade and bears him three children.

As soon as the brothers discovered the deceit, a trail of torture, torment, betrayal and murder followed.

A fresh lyrical theatrical experience, Iyalode of Eti is also the touching story of how a woman asserts her strength and fights for her heart in a land ruled by men.

Before the deaths and tragedy, Iyalode and Oguntade were dropping really awesome toasting lines and stuffs:

The toasting language is not only rich, poetic and metaphorical, it was phenomenal.

Iyalode of Eti gave us a beautiful, inventive and intelligent spin on The Duchess of Malfi. It was powerful, funny and impressive.

Many thanks to the Ake festival team for allowing us see the stage play for FREE.

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