The Lion and the Jewel

The Lion and the Jewel is a play by Wole Soyinka, set in modern Nigeria, which he explores from a satirical perspective, skillfully fusing western elements with subject matter deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition.

The original text

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1988?: Presented at FUBA, directed by Lourens Cilliers. The cast included Ernest Ngcobo, Lesego Motsepe, Robert Aphane, Sinah Molefi, Zonke Hlatshwayo, Rapulana Seiphemo, a combination of full time and part-time FUBA drama students. The performance took place in FUBA’s dance studio

2008: Produced by the South African State Theatre, directed by James Ngcobo, starring Sello Maake ka Ncube, Nthati Moshesh, Fezile Mpela and Warona Seane, 8 April to 4 May, after which it moved to the Market Theatre.

Sources

Material held by NELM: [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2011. 341. 2. 44. 5.

Sunday Independent, 20 April 2008.

Business Day, 27 May 2008.

Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

Go to ESAT Bibliography