‘HEAR WORD’ STAGE PLAY – A FEMINIST PLEA AGAINST PREJUDICE

Hello everyone,

Below is my interview with Odenike Odetola Odeleye about her role in the 'Hear Word' stage play that was published in E24-7 entertainment magazine.

Enjoy!

 

Stage plays and musicals performances have begun to take centre stage in the ever busy commercial city of Lagos. ‘Hear Word’ a collection of skits based on the true life experiences of inequity and the inhuman treatment of Nigerian women tells the enthralling story of injustice, chauvinism and abuse of the female gender.

This intriguing play gives a scene by scene enactment of an African woman’s day to day ordeal of an exploited life. 

Odenike on stage

This week, I met up with upcoming actress Odenike Odetola-Odeleye, who gave a brilliant stage performance at the recently concluded stage production of HEAR WORD over the Christmas holiday. Odenike performed alongside veteran actresses such as Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Ufuoma Mcdermott and Elvina Ibru.

She expresses her love for acting and stage performances in a quick chit-chat over the weekend.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself?

Odenike: I am an actor and a voice over artist. I love movies and plays and I am pretty excited about anything that has to do with the arts really, whether I am a part of it or appreciating it. I graduated from the University of Lagos and have since been taking classes and workshops in acting.

Q: Which type of acting do you prefer, theater play or movie acting and how different is it to act in both?

Odenike: I can't really say I prefer one over the other because the truth is that they are very different. I love theatre for the energy and the response you get. You are in the moment and there is no break until you are done. It is larger than life and beautiful. It gives a kind of rush that can only be gotten on stage. Acting for film is also very fulfilling but in a different way. It is a lot closer and intimate. You can send a message with a simple subtle facial expression and it will be caught on camera. It can be a more intimate experience for the viewer.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the characters that you portrayed in the Hear Word stage play?

Odenike: The characters I play in Hear Word! Naija woman talk true, are the young girl being molested by her Aunt's boyfriend, who she considers to be an uncle and is told to keep quiet about it and the Northern girl who was given out for marriage at way too young an age, got pregnant and is now living with VVF (Vesicovaginal fistula). 

Both girls are young and helpless and are being victimized and abused by society and people that they should trust. And worse, they cannot get help.

Playing these characters was quite challenging for me. And I actually got very emotional after every performance. The messages in them are so strong and I am honored to be a vessel used to send out this very important messages.

Q: Are you familiar at all with the May 2014 stage production of ‘Hear Word’ and were you part of it?

Odenike: Yes, that was the first Hear Word production and I was a part of it.

Q: What are your thought on the reawakening of stage and theater productions in Nigeria?

Odenike: I am excited about it! Theatre is beautiful. Whether you are performing or you are watching. It is absolutely awesome! It does take a lot of work and funding theater productions can be a bit difficult. But with this new era, more and more people are investing in and supporting theatre. 

Q: How many plays have you done so far? 

Odenike: About 15 stage plays I believe.

Q: What has been your biggest achievement in the field of acting?

Odenik: I believe being a part of Hear Word has got to be it for now. Not only does it carry a strong message, it is a great show! I work alongside some of Nigerian theatre and film's biggest names and best talent. The play has been performed on a University campus, bus stops, theatres, at Festivals and now, we have been invited to perform at the Harvard University in Cambridge.  This engagement with Harvard will be a first of its kind for Nigerian women.  

Harvard University’s Center for African Studies; The department of Theater, Dance and Media; The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and The American Repertory Theater, will host this event for the larger Boston community.

Q: Do you have any dream stage performance roles that you would like to act?

Odenike: I have several oh! But I think one of the most exciting things I believe to do on stage will be a one woman show. That will be awesome!

Q: Well, thank you for your time, Odenike. I wish you all the very best in your acting career and can't wait to see what you are working on next.

Odenike: Thank you.

Source - http://e247mag.com/hear-word-stage-play-a-feminist-plea-against-prejudice/