The vibrant production company Aroba Groove is getting ready for a brand-new stage show called “ASIYANBI: Ti Oluwa Ni Ile.”
its worldwide cultural organization, which was founded by Otunba Oladotun Taylor, Asoju Ooni of Ife in the Diaspora, is poised to create history with its legendary stage play production.
The play is a translation of the Yoruba film “Ti Oluwa Nile,” which was originally penned by renowned producer and actor Alhaji Kareem Adepoju, also referred to as Baba Wande. The legendary cast of Alhaji Kareem Adepoju, Jude Chukwuka, Aisha Lawal, Ozain, Iya Mufu, Layi Wasabi Lawyer, Yaw, and Agba Inaki, among others, will bring this timeless story to life on stage.
Oladotun Taylor, the stage play’s executive producer, stated his excitement about “ASIYANBI: Ti Oluwa Ni Ile” stretching the limits of artistic expression and revolutionizing stage theater. Written by Shola Balogun and directed by Ropo Ewenla, the production is sure to enthrall viewers with its distinct take on the suspenseful story.
As ‘ASIYANBI: Ti Oluwa Ni Ile’ readies for its debut, executive producer Oladotun Taylor underscores the timeless significance of this beloved narrative, emphasizing its capacity to connect with audiences spanning generations.
Akindeji Ibitayo, the Project Coordinator and Supervisory Producer of “In Aroba Groove,” shared during a recent press conference that the stage production aims to retell compelling African stories and histories in an engaging manner.
He explained, “We delved into the nation’s history, encompassing colonization, independence, trials, and triumphs, highlighting Nigeria’s growth and evolution. Our collective realization was that Nigeria is truly a blessed nation.”
Ibitayo continued, “In light of Nigeria’s forthcoming 25-year milestone of continuous democracy, we saw an opportune moment to showcase this through ‘Ti Oluwa Nile,’ albeit in a fresh and distinctive format.”
“What better time can the project fall into, and for characters such as Asiyanbi who are desecrating and flouting the laws and orders of the land, this is a project to let them know that there will be serious and grave consequences. Nigerians and the world in general should watch out for this,” he said.
The narrative of ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ centers on a saga of deceit, avarice, and traditional principles, as certain individuals plot to unlawfully sell off ancestral land. As the community rallies against this scheme and the oracle intervenes, the chief confronts a series of trials that challenge his fate and social status, culminating in a decisive confrontation that will determine his future.
Originally written in 1987 and adapted into a cinematic masterpiece in 1993, ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ has mesmerized audiences with its themes of deception and retribution. Through their forthcoming stage production, The Aroba Groove aims to infuse new vitality into this enduring tale, pledging a vibrant and dynamic theatrical experience for all spectators.
