Death and the King's Horseman

Walking through the doors of Sheffield’s Crucible this week felt like entering hustling Nigerian villages filled with music, song and dance. Before the production of ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ had even begun, the atrium was filled with feverish live music that built anticipation and excitement. All this before the audience had even had the chance to take their seats. Mojisola Kareem’s (Far Gone) presentation of ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ kicks off with a bang but then makes sure to take the time and care to develop and reveal its story with precision and purpose.

The show transports us to 1940’s Nigeria during the second world war and contrasts the experiences of tribal Nigerians and the British citizens that have colonised them. Based on a true story, it revolves around Elesin (Wale Ojo), the king’s horseman, and the sacred ritual that he must carry out upon the death of the king. What follows is a production that is full of deft, meticulous details. Each scene is given plenty of time to reveal itself. The show never feels rushed and its slower pace allows the production to give full justice to the intensity and depth of the story that it is telling.

The performances are exemplary. Wale Ojo unleashes a jaw dropping and impassioned performance of the leading character, Elesin Oba. Ojo is at times manic, troubled and cacophonous. At other times he is plaintive and considered. Ojo delivers this performance with such range and skill that is almost impossible not to be fully immersed into everything he says and does. The show is also filled with excellent tribal music performed live on stage by three drummers and a small army of singers and dancers. Seeing them perform this Nigerian music with such passion was one of the highlights of the evening and really pulled the audience in its world and immersed them within a culture that many may not be fully familiar with.

The story is full of African mythology, folklore and native vocabulary. It’s fantastic to see such an authentic presentation of African culture on stage and the evening’s programme does a brilliant job of helping audience members to decode some of the native language that is used. This is just another example of the attention to detail and care that has been put into all elements of the production.

‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ ended with a jubilant standing ovation. The audience had been swept off their feet and transported all the way to rural Nigeria. Make the epic journey yourself and catch ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre from Monday 3rd to Saturday 8th February.