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The stage adaptation
of the classic novel of pre- and post-colonial literature, Things
Fall Apart will open to the public in Abuja on Friday 3rd and
Saturday 4th October, 2008, at the Merit House Auditorium in Abuja .
The landmark play which is a collaboration between the Jos-based
theatre organization and the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)
will bring to a close the year long activities marking the 50th
anniversary of the publication of the novel which has been adapted
for the stage by the UK-based Nigerian novelist and playwright, Biyi
Bandele.
The theatre group, fresh from a performance of the play in Lagos for
the 50th Anniversary of Grant Making in Nigeria by the Ford
Foundation, will open with a performance for schools at the Merit
House as part of the activities marking the 48th Independence
Anniversary of Nigeria. It will be followed by the public
performances.
In the 50 years that the novel has been on the bookshelves it has
sold over 3 million copies, translated into 50 languages and is read
as a text in all the continents of the world.
It would be recalled that Chinua Achebe is the founder of the
Association of Nigerian Authors when on the 27th of June 1981, he
convened a meeting of notable personalities in Nigerian literature.
That meeting, which was to give birth to ANA, was also attended by
famous African writers including, Ngugi Wa Thiongo and Gacheche
Wauringi.
The Jos Repertory Theatre, founded in 1997, is currently revving up
its touring programmes with the aim of taking live theatre to
Nigerian cities. With the story of Okonkwo been told on live stage,
it is possible that a lot of audience will imbibe the lessons
inherent in his hard work, dexterity and reaction to issues.
THINGS FALL APART will have two performances on Friday 3rd and
another two on Saturday 4th October 2008.
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