A sublime evening with the JRT

Based on the age old challenge of unmarried singles as was evident in the late 19th century where also, only men were allowed as government functionaries in ministries while the female folks stayed back to care for the children, sew cloths and/knit cardigans. Although written in the year, 1895 and reflective of the prevalent culture […]

Based on the age old challenge of unmarried singles as was evident in the late 19th century where also, only men were allowed as government functionaries in ministries while the female folks stayed back to care for the children, sew cloths and/knit cardigans.

Although written in the year, 1895 and reflective of the prevalent culture then, the JRT cast with Malvina Patrick in the lead role as Florita, eloquently acted out the theme and message of the piece which were not farfetched from situations  in today’s Nigeria regarding single unmarried women, the pressures from family members, the lies and deceit in a bid to win favours of prospective in-laws and hearts of lovers.

Though this was the trend at the time, Florita thought otherwise and unremorsefully made her thoughts known to everyone who encountered her. With the balcony as the advertisement stage for single girls to sell themselves to prospective suitors, fuelling these attempts with juicy cooked up lies and deceitful acts more to the delight of family members than the girls involved, the men also strategised their ways of wining the hearts of the ladies and making impressive impressions on their families by introducing themselves as sons of millionaires and heir apparent as was the case with Manolo and Pablo.

The era also was vehemently against women working as functionaries until Florita got employed there. In the end, she gained the upper hand with her views on what marriage should be as she led a government which insisted women participated in public administration.

Staged at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre Abuja, guests enjoyed a sublime mood with the apt way in which the cast translated the theme and message of Mihura’s piece in their actions, facial expressions, word choices, and the play on words which got the audience laughing.

For Mrs. Nwanne Mordi who has never missed a performance by the group in Abuja, “it is a good thing that the Spanish Embassy always invites this group to perform. I studied English and literature some thirty six years ago and came across some of the masters whose works they act out; and for the circumstances and challenges they have to surmount, I must say they are doing a good job of it.”

“It is always a delight to come and watch staged performances which I must say are becoming extinct in Nigeria and almost none existent in Abuja,” said Anthony Iroha who described himself as a theatre buff.