Nollywood actress, Omowunmi Dada has once again showed how versatile she can be when she featured in the critically acclaimed stage play Isale Eko.
The play, which was recently picked as the official play for the Lagos@50 celebrations, was staged last weekend at MUSON Centre, Lagos.
Isale Eko follows the life and times of the people of Lagos, their lifestyle, struggle for power, love and deceit.
In the 1800s, Eko Kingdom has prospered and is a commercial hub. However, the ruling monarch just died. An internal wrangling over kingship and trade set Kosoko and his elder brother, Idewu at loggerheads.
However, Kosoko’s heart lies with a Benin slave, Osarehia, a princess from the Benin Kingdom to who Eko owe fealty.
Tension mounts as Osarehia’s owner, Eletu the kingmaker, plays a fast one on Kosoko, played by Femi Branch.
Eletu sells off Osarehia but Kosoko is quick to buy her off her new owners and flouts tradition by bringing her into the palace to make her his queen.
However, Eletu plays a mischievous one on the Eko kingdom by sending a false message to the Oba of Benin that his daughter is being held captive in Eko. This places both Kingdoms on a warpath.
In the words of the actress, being on stage felt like going back to a big family. “And of course, it was something that I did alongside veterans. It was great being on stage again. I had the opportunity to dance and sing gain. Also I had to learn a whole lot about the history and culture of Lagos, the place of my birth. So it was a beautiful experience for me,” she said.
