AGBO PLAY
..for pull story de Krio way..
Sierra Leone
Presents
Ayodele Scott & David Evans
In
‘Native Wit’
“..marvel at their powerful stories, infectious wit, physical prowess
and drumming dexterity…precision engineering for the imagination.”
Richard Wolfenden-Brown
Artistic Programmer, Plough Arts, Torrington
“Amazing show – Wonderful rhythms – Excellent – See this!”
Noticeboard postits from Agbo Participants
Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple 2023
Ayodele Scott and David Evans first worked together in 1994 under the aegis of Imùlè Theatre.
Having already won national awards for his acting, Ayo gained a scholarship to advance his practice at Leeds University. He proceeded to work with Wole Soyinka, Augusto Boal, Peter Brook and Jerzy Grotowski. Despite, or perhaps because of, these influences Ayo has deepened his loyalty to the ‘Agbo Play’ genre, indigenous to his birthplace of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Since 1994 Imùlè Theatre has adopted Agbo Play as its pre-eminent style, proving immensely popular in community and educational settings.
Agbo Play fuses performers and spectators in a form of African theatre typically played in the open air in yards, compounds and communal gathering places. It involves drumming, dance and song as stories are playfully ‘pulled’ into the performance space and bodies of the participants. It is a collective celebration, restoring the physical, social and spiritual wellbeing of the ‘gbogbo’ – the ‘flock’ or community.
David Evans trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and acted for four years in several companies, including the Bristol Old Vic, before going to Exeter University to train as a teacher.
Troubled by environmental concerns and the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures, in 1990 David founded Imùlè. The intention was to create an accessible, and physical theatre form which reflected the Yoruba culture of Nigeria, where David was born and brought up.
During the 1990s to 2010 Ayo and David toured with Imùlè throughout the South West. Ayo went on to pursue a career mainly in music, while David used his theatre and teaching skills at Exeter University, Department of Child Health developing theatre-based programmes addressing adolescent relationships and sexual health.
‘Native Wit’ is a celebration of a new found friendship and creative collaboration between David and Ayo.
To mark the union we have renamed our organisation ‘Agbo Play’.
Trading address:
1 Western Villas, Western Road, Crediton, Devon, UK. EX17 3NA
We are a small collective of artists and our work keeps us on the move and not in an office. We check emails and phone messages every day. Please leave a message with contact details, and we will endeavour to respond ASAP.
E-mail: [email protected]
These are our most accessible phone numbers:
David Evans (+44) 07812 561123
Ayodele Scott & Beth Maloney (+44) 07974 829285
Kim Hicks (+44) 07774 299521
Wells Theatre Festival 2024 Native Wit — Wells theatre Festival
Venue 1: Elim Connect Centre, Portway, Wells, BA5 2BE Date: Fri 21st June Time: 10.30 am
Venue 2: The Bandstand in the Park Date: Saturday 22nd June Time: 3.30 pm Donate by cash or card after the show
Barnstaple, Fringe TheatreFest Fringe Theatrefest 2024
Tobacco Factory, Bristol Tickets/schedule
Venue: The Snug
Dates: Wed 10th July, Thu 11th, Fri 12th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th 2024
Time: 7.00 – 8.00 pm
Tickets: Pay by cash or card on the door – Adults £10, Young People < 16 years £6, Concessions ( OAPs, unemployed, disabled, students) £6, Families of up to 4 (any combination) £25
To reserve/book seats contact: M: 07812561123 or E: [email protected]
Maximum 45 seats – book early to avoid disappointment
Ayodele Scott and David Evans first worked together in 1994 under the aegis of Imùlè Theatre.
Having already won national awards for his acting, Ayo gained a scholarship to advance his practice at Leeds University. He proceeded to work with Wole Soyinka, Augusto Boal, Peter Brook and Jerzy Grotowski. Despite, or perhaps because of, these influences Ayo has deepened his loyalty to the ‘Agbo Play’ genre, indigenous to his birthplace of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Since 1994 Imùlè Theatre has adopted Agbo Play as its pre-eminent style, proving immensely popular in community and educational settings.
Agbo Play fuses performers and spectators in a form of African theatre typically played in the open air in yards, compounds and communal gathering places. It involves drumming, dance and song as stories are playfully ‘pulled’ into the performance space and bodies of the participants. It is a collective celebration, restoring the physical, social and spiritual wellbeing of the ‘gbogbo’ – the ‘flock’ or community.
David Evans trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and acted for four years in several companies, including the Bristol Old Vic, before going to Exeter University to train as a teacher.
Troubled by environmental concerns and the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures, in 1990 David founded Imùlè. The intention was to create an accessible, and physical theatre form which reflected the Yoruba culture of Nigeria, where David was born and brought up.
During the 1990s to 2010 Ayo and David toured with Imùlè throughout the South West. Ayo went on to pursue a career mainly in music, while David used his theatre and teaching skills at Exeter University, Department of Child Health developing theatre-based programmes addressing adolescent relationships and sexual health.
‘Native Wit’ is a celebration of a new found friendship and creative collaboration between David and Ayo.
To mark the union we have renamed our organisation ‘Agbo Play’.
Trading address:
1 Western Villas, Western Road, Crediton, Devon, UK. EX17 3NA
We are a small collective of artists and our work keeps us on the move and not in an office. We check emails and phone messages every day. Please leave a message with contact details, and we will endeavour to respond ASAP.
E-mail: [email protected]
These are our most accessible phone numbers:
David Evans (+44) 07812 561123
Ayodele Scott & Beth Maloney (+44) 07974 829285
Kim Hicks (+44) 07774 299521
Wells Theatre Festival 2024 Native Wit — Wells theatre Festival
Venue 1: Elim Connect Centre, Portway, Wells, BA5 2BE Date: Fri 21st June Time: 10.30 am
Venue 2: The Bandstand in the Park Date: Saturday 22nd June Time: 3.30 pm Donate by cash or card after the show
Barnstaple, Fringe TheatreFest Fringe Theatrefest 2024
Tobacco Factory, Bristol Tickets/schedule
Venue: The Snug
Dates: Wed 10th July, Thu 11th, Fri 12th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th 2024
Time: 7.00 – 8.00 pm
Tickets: Pay by cash or card on the door – Adults £10, Young People < 16 years £6, Concessions ( OAPs, unemployed, disabled, students) £6, Families of up to 4 (any combination) £25
To reserve/book seats contact: M: 07812561123 or E: [email protected]
Maximum 45 seats – book early to avoid disappointment