Week 1: Remembering Our Past(s)
No Longer At Ease is the story of Obi Okonkwo who returns to Nigeria from England filled with romantic idealism and finds a society full of conflicting demands. Set on the eve of Nigeria's independence from Britain this is an ironic story about the clash between tradition and modernity as represented by the forces of colonialism.
e.g. bailey's stage 2001 adaptation brought to life all the emotional force and poetry of this journey into self-hood
After the show was complete, playwright e.g. bailey said, “The journey of creating this work has been incredible and a blessing, but not without its struggle and at times exasperation. However, within it, I have discovered a great deal about myself and my people. I have felt in many ways like an apprentice in the company of a profound elder. Yet also, I have discovered that Obi’s story is in many ways my own… Thanks enough cannot be given to Pangea World Theater for this incredible opportunity, for their faith and trust.”
No Longer At Ease once again had a beautiful soundtrack and an important and moving focus on anti-colonialism. St. Paul’s Pioneer Press said, “The beauty of Pangea’s production is in its evenhanded depiction of these burning dilemmas. A story that could become an easy harangue about white people, Europe, Christianity and colonialism becomes instead an intricate, magnetic dance of energies — social, political, religious, ethical and personal.”
Creating and showcasing those intricate energies is exactly what we have been striving to do for the past 25 years. Thank you for joining us in that journey.
