Image Bureau and April Communications Limited are returning with the popular African play “The Gods Are Not to Blame” at the national theater in Accra on March 21–23 after staging it last year, in December.
The adaptation of Sophocles’ original Greek classic Oedipus Rex, authored by Nigeria’s Ola Rotimi, is a tragic and ironic tale about how the gods were indeed not to blame for the outcome of events, leading to the death of a king led by his own son.
Speaking in a phone interview with Max.com.gh on Friday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Image Bureau and the Artistic Director-in-Residence, George Quaye, said the decision to restage the play was based on popular demands.
“The decision to stage ‘The Gods are Not to Blame’ again in March is mainly driven by popular demand, a positive reception from audiences, and the desire to reach a new audience who may have missed the December performances,” he said.
The famed actor indicated that the rationale behind staging “The Gods are Not to Blame” is to bring “this classic story” to life in a new and engaging way and to explore the themes and messages of the original story in a different medium.
He said his outfit would also showcase the talent of the actors and production team involved in the Ola Rotimi adaptation of Sophocles class piece, “Oedipus Rex.”
Due to the educational and moral values that fit into the current Ghanaian dispensation, George Quaye said audiences could not afford to miss the well-documented narrative as the gate opens four times: at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22, and at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.
Starring celebrated actor David Dontoh, who will play the role of the narrator; Andrew Adote as Odewale, a boy destined by birth to kill his father, King Adetusa, played by Fred Amugi, and marry his own mother; Queen Ojuola played by Naa Ashorkor; Baba Fakunle played by Mawuli Semevo, a priest of Ifa; and other viable cast members who will bring the action-packed drama to life.
George Quaye said the play was not to downplay the talented writers churning out great stories in the country. The decision to stage the play, he said, was their desire to showcase a classic piece of literature to a new generation.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
