Musical play, Ada The Country mirrors experiences of urban woman

To reecho and highlight the experiences of the urban woman from sisterhood, motherhood, child birth, ambition while painting a picture of what it truly means to be a woman in Nigeria today, a musical stage play, Ada The Country, brought these issues to fore.

A Doyenne Circle production, the play tells the story of Ada, a character played by Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, who loses her nine-month-old daughter and property in a fire incident, which she barely survives herself.

The traumatic experience sends her into depression but with the support of women across different generations, who have been through such harrowing experiences, she walks through a process of restoration.

Directed by the award-winning producer cum actor, Kemi Lala Akindoju and written by poet, Titilope Sonuga, the all-female cast musical explores the journey of the girl child from birth, through childhood, adulthood and motherhood.

The musical featured veterans and rising stars in the Nollywood industry, they include Patience Ozokwor, Joke Silva, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Chioma Chigul Omeruah, Lala Akindoju, Oluchi Odii, Tosin Adeyemi and Imoh Eboh.

Thespian and founder, Doyenne Circle, Marian Ogaziechi, the play is born out of her experience while in the university.

She said, “As a theater artist by training and a communication expert, and knowing that one of the ways to reach out to many people is by story telling. I was inspired to do theatre by Bolanle Austen-Peters and sharing my story for the first time with Titilope Sonuga, the writer, I was healed. So, I decided it was time to share the experiences every urban woman from University, to NYSC to the boardroom, women go through and more.

“And all women can relate to the experiences in the play and for men, it’s either your mother, sister, daughter can relate to this.”

She also noted that this is one of the ways to bridge the gap to reach the urban woman as people do not believe that the urban woman doesn’t go through issues too.

For Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, who played, Ada, “Looking back years ago, there’s this saying that women should be seen and not heard. So, we have a culture of silence, but in recent times, people are coming out with their stories, which is what Doyenne Circle is doing. People should no longer be ashamed to speak up because they don’t know, who they may be helping.

“You need to tell your story to inspire people and let them know that you have been through it and they can also find healing, hope and support. So, women need to continue speaking, changing the narrative because in an ever-changing world, those who are behind us also need to know that there are issues on ground that need to be sorted and addressed,” she added.