University of Cape Coast Campus, has over the past few weeks seen a rise in the number of plays being staged, particularly by the department of Theatre and Film Studies. This move to bring art to the students of a university who are some-what stereotyped to be purely “book minded” is in my candid opinion a great move. Even more interesting is the knowledge that these plays have become a weekly affair at the main auditorium of the University.
This past saturday, I decided to go and experience for myself the whole play and theatre feeling. Play to be staged was titled “Ananse in the Land of Idiots”. Interesting title huh? It was not just the title on the notice board that attracted me to the place, but also stated boldly was the time of 7pm. As the organizers were all members of the University of Cape Coast, one would think the stated time of 7pm will be a real 7pm show start time and not a typical “Ghana Man Time”.
I was wrong. At 7:15pm, the show had not started and I had already finished off the popcorn I had bought. At 7.30pm, the show had still not started. I therefore had to go outside the Auditorium to question the lady selling the ticket why the show had not started. She replied by saying the stated time of 7pm was just there to make sure people were seated before the show began. I was greatly disappointed; I indeed felt like I had been conned. Just so you know, a ticket was sold for 5 cedis and it included a free refreshment (a choice from the options available: mineral, popcorn or sobolo). The show eventually started at 7.43pm, by which time I had already lost interest.
First scene was so perfect it revived my interest. Here is a short summary of the play: “Ananse first extricates himself from a tight corner that his greed had placed him in and then secures a favored position in “the Land of Idiots”. However, it is his cunning that is most “frightening”, if such character exist in the human race. He outwits an entire community, King Dosey and Queen Fayasey, Akpala, Odudu, and an Elder. Eventually, through subterfuge, disguise, murder, and the elimination of a man who assists him along his devious path, he manages to become Prince Pootagyiri, he then secures the hand of the daughter of the local ruler. Ananse departs with his bride to enjoy life on an island he has been given.”
All actors in the play did very well, especially on a night when some stage props seemed to be failing the actors – particularly Ananse’s weaving machine, which almost collapsed on stage. The play was also very much engaging, even though attendance was not the best. One thing I particularly disliked was the fact that times between scenes sometimes had to take more than two minutes, while the audience sat and waited. This reduced the interest in the play a few times. The play came to an end at 9.20pm with a notice of a sequel the following week.
Overall, I had a nice experience, although I think the 5 cedis charged was a bit too much, and that the organizers should work on their timing. Out of 10, I would rate my experience at 6.5.
Would you ever go out to watch a play on Campus?
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