In a village near a forest

Review by: Paul Towers, 30/10/19

In a village near a forest by ‘Funmi Adewole

Performed by ‘Funmi Adewole

Upstairs @ The Western, 30^th October 2019

“‘Funmi Adewole is a storyteller, a relater of parables.”

‘Funmi Adewole is a storyteller, a relater of parables especially those from Lagos in Nigeria. The stories themselves are mythical, simplistic tales meant to teach those less well educated in a way that they can relate to. Much like religious tracts they are not literal but fairy tales wrapped round truths.

Adewole uses much physicality as she fills the stage with characters.

Her method of storytelling would be absolutely ideal for middle school children, especially those in an African and Afro Caribbean community.

Tonight we had tales of tortoises, greedy rich people and avaricious housewives, all hiding a lesson in life.

This my last visit to Upstairs at The Western after six plus years. New management has taken the venue in a new direction and I no longer feel I can give an objective view of forthcoming productions.

Upstairs at The Western http://upstairsatthewestern.com/
First published on Western Gazette