Description
Book SynopsisHighlighted in this volume is the detective play The Inspector and the Hero by Femi Osofisan, one of Africa's leading playwrights. The play has until now only been published in Nigeria. This open issue of African Theatre is a departure from the traditional themed format to showcase the plethora of styles, approaches and perspectives that populate the contemporary field of African theatre studies, with contributions from Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana. Focusing mainly on case studies, contributors engage a variety of performance forms, ranging from investigations into radical dramatic and popular musical performances, through "street theatre" (festivals and masquerade shows) and pop culture, to consideration of applied theatre, dance, audience, cultural performances and folktales. Articles address African American and African cultural dialogue; choreographic study; the carnivalization of indigenous African festivals; the stigmatization of disability; the performance of nationality, as well as orality and African performance aesthetics. Highlighted in this volume is the playscript of the detective play The Inspector and the Hero by Femi Osofisan, one of Africa's foremost playwrights. Volume Editor: CHUKWUMA OKOYE Series Editors: Yvette Hutchison, Reader, Department of Theatre & Performance Studies, University of Warwick; Chukwuma Okoye, Reader in African Theatre & Performance, University of Ibadan; Jane Plastow, Professor of African Theatre, University of Leeds.
Table of ContentsIntroduction - Chukwuma Okoye "Man in the Mirror": The issue of appropriation in the exchange between African & African American popular culture - Stephanie Shonekan NAFEST Danceturgy in search of integration & identity: A study of selected Nasarawa State dance entries - 'Tosin Kooshima Tume Carnivalization of indigenous performance forms & the demystification of ritual essence in costume & mask designs of masquerade art - Bernard Eze Orji An initial investigation into contemporary theatre audiences in Malawi - Amy Bonsall Exploring educational theatre & peer learning to combat stigma & myths about albinism in school settings in Malawi - Zindaba Chisiza Performing the Nation: Incorporating cultural performances into theatre in Ethiopia - Zerihun Birehanu Orality & the folktale: Metaphysical content & performance aesthetics of Anansesem - Sarah Dorgbadzi Playscript: The Inspector & the Hero - Femi Osofisan Book Reviews edited by Sola Adeyemi
