The Quest, a stage play written by dramatist Christopher Iheuwa, has left audiences spellbound with its blend of romance, rivalry, supernatural intrigue, and cultural authenticity.
Recently staged to critical acclaim, the production has been hailed as a triumph of storytelling that both entertains and challenges audiences to reflect on love, courage, and tradition.
Staged by the final-year students of the Department of Performing Arts of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology as their final-year production, the drama follows the life of Chibude, a determined young man in search of a wife.
His journey leads him across villages, into supernatural encounters, and ultimately into a fierce rivalry for the love of Ifeoma. However, Ifeoma’s betrothal to Iwebuka, the strongest fighter in the land of Umuoni, sets the stage for a dramatic conflict that tests not only love but also pride, communal expectations, and destiny.
A cultural and emotional adventure, the play’s adventurous storyline is interwoven with romance, traditional festivals, wrestling contests, and moments of suspense, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.
In his review, Olatawura Ademola Oluwaseun hailed the production for sustaining dramatic tension.
“The Quest goes beyond mere entertainment; it reflects society’s deepest struggles between personal choice and cultural duty. It is a story that resonates long after the curtain falls,” he wrote.
The cast’s performances brought the story vividly to life. Chibude was portrayed with strength and humility, embodying both vulnerability and bravery. Ifeoma stood out for her beauty, innocence, and defiance—winning audience sympathy in her courageous confession of love. Iwebuka, with his physicality and commanding stage presence, became a convincing antagonist, while Pa Chiaka and Adaku (Ifeoma’s parents) delivered wisdom and comic relief in equal measure.
Supporting characters, including villagers, spirits, and family members, helped create a vibrant communal atmosphere enriched by chants, songs, and proverbs.
The play’s technical aspects elevated its cultural storytelling to another level. Creative lighting design heightened the emotions of each scene, while traditional costumes and symbolic props reinforced the authenticity of the Igbo setting. Sound design, featuring Igbo songs and music, further immersed the audience in the culture, complementing the actors’ energetic performances.
Beyond its entertainment value, The Quest tackled themes of love versus tradition, courage in adversity, social stigma, and the importance of family and community values. It also wove in the controversial Osu outcast system, provoking reflections on justice, equality, and identity.
