SISTERS ACT

Source: nigeriafilms.com

It is a synergy of great minds in the thespian business. The trio of Lufodo Productions, Zmirage Multimedia and Club International (UK) has come together and will be hitting the United Kingdom in a big way. It is part of their efforts to positively project Nigeria to the world.

And what a better way to do this than through a fantastic drama entitled, “The Sisters”, which will run for four days in highbrow Hackney Empire Hall, London from Thursday July 6 to 9, 2006.
A four-cast play, “The Sisters” parades top female acts like Joke Silva, Bukky Ajayi, Teni Aofiyebi and Iyabo Olajumoke. In fact, it is a sort of homecoming for the veteran dramatists who at one time or the other studied in the UK.

“The Sisters” is about the battle with bitter truth and painful reality. It unravels the vanity and deceit that characterise the lives of the high and mighty in the society, and also tresses the transience of power and social status.

The president's death provides an occasion for sisters to come to grips with these realities and re-examine their lives after all the disappointment and misfortunes they have been through.
Written and directed by Dr Ahmed Yerima, Director, National Troupe, “The Sisters” is one long, tortuous movement of shocking revelations that demonstrate the fact that humanity is flawed and that we know very little about ourselves and the world.

However, the event is not all about drama. Music will be added for a touch of fun and excitement. According to the organisers, London-based Nigerian artistes including D'banj, Weird MC, Peter Badejo and JJC & 419 Squad will add spice to the event.

Teju Kareem, Zmirage boss and Executive Producer/ Associate Technical Director of the play, says the main aim of storming London with the show is to create a business opportunity and platform to market Nigeria and her products in Europe through the instrumentality of art and music.
He stresses: “It is all about promoting the Nigerian image through artistic excellence in the comity of nations.”

For Yomi Dada, Marketing/PR Manager, Zmirage, the Hackney Empire Hall, venue of the show is for the high flyers and not just any dramatist or audience. “Hackney is not just for any play or dramatist. Before a play is granted exhibition license, it must have gone through serious screening and passed an acid test. So, you can imagine what we went through before “The Sisters” was put on the bill.“s
Roll call:
Joke Silva
An actress of international repute, Joke is an alumnus of Webster Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, Gloucester Road, South Kessington, London. She is also a Director. Joke is happily married to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs and they are blessed with children. Joke is the Best Actress 2006 at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Bukky Ajayi
Buki, as cast and crew fondly call her started her career in the 1960s. She has worked as an announcer, presenter and newscaster at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Buki studied at the Stanislavski Institute of Drama, London. She is a grandmother.

Teni Aofiyebi
Teni is a broadcaster, actress, teacher and businesswoman. She attended schools in Nigeria and the UK including Whiteland College, Patney, an affiliate of the University of London. She is married with children.

Iyabo Amoke
Daughter of political stalwart, Chief Bode Olajumoke, Iyabo trained as a lawyer. She is also a writer, actress and graduate of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Iyabo currently runs a children and adult drama workshop in Lagos.

Meanwhile, gentlemen of the press, sponsors and selected members of the public will have the opportunity of watching “The Sisters” before it leaves for London.

“By the time this piece comes up for a select crowd in Lagos and the tour of 3 cities, London, Birmingham and Manchester in the UK. We hope that it will have imparted people's lives, who would have met other professionals, from another clime. Hopefully, other will take this as a lead to sponsor other projects that will promote our culture, “ concludes Kareem