Homecoming (2021 play)
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- Nwakibe Echeruo
- Adannaya Echeruo
- Nebeolisa
- Mr. Writer/Johnson
- Ahumaraeze
| Homecoming | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Chetachi Igbokwe |
| Characters |
|
| Date premiered | 6 May 2021 |
| Place premiered | New Arts Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka |
| Original language | English, Igbo |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama |
| Setting | The Echeruo household, Native shrine |
Homecoming is a stage play written by Nigerian playwright Chetachi Igbokwe which premiered on 6 May 2021 at the New Arts Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The play was directed by Ugochukwu Victor Ugwu and produced by the Maestro Theatre. It explores themes of tragedy, familial bonds, loss, grief, memory, and the fear of separation.
It won the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Prize in 2021 and was longlisted for the 2023 Nigeria Prize for Literature where the judges described it as "philosophical and gravely entertaining".
Chetachi Igbokwe's Homecoming, delves into themes of loss, grief, memory, and the fear of separation. Inspired by a personal experience in 2019, when Igbokwe anxiously awaited his sister's arrival at the airport after a prolonged absence, the play explores the anxieties surrounding recognition and connection after significant separations. This emotional resonance forms the bedrock of the play's central conflict.[1]
The fear of loss permeates Homecoming, becoming a prominent motif. However, the impact of loss took on even greater significance for Igbokwe after the passing of both his parents, which occurred shortly after the play received the Association of Nigerian Authors' Prize for Drama.[1] This deeply personal tragedy reshaped the play's meaning for him. He reevaluated the weight of the word "death" and found parallels between his own experiences and the characters' grief, infusing the work with authenticity and emotional depth.[1]
Production
The play premiered on 6 May 2021 at the New Arts Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The original play was directed by Ugochukwu Victor Ugwu and produced by the Maestro Theatre casting Kosi Ejikeme as Nwakibe Echeruo, Aina Adebola as Adannaya Echeruo, Chimaobi Okolo as Mr. Writer/Johnson and Simon Ebuka Ugwu as Ahumaraeze.[2] On 7 August 2021, through a collaboration between the Maestro Theatre and the Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, the play was staged at the Enugu Sports Club.[3][4]
In December 2022, Homecoming was published by Noirledge Publishing.[3]
Characters
- Nwakibe Echeruo — A church catechist and retired head teacher.
- Adannaya Echeruo — Nwakibe's wife
- Nebeolisa — Nwakibe's son.
- Mr. Writer/Johnson - A writer and the Echeruo's neighbour.
- Ahumaraeze — A diviner and chief priest of the Ogwugwu masquerade cult.
Plot
The plot centers on Nwakibe Echeruo, who is deeply affected by the disappearance of his son Nebeolisa. The search for answers dominates his life, while his wife Adannaya Echeruo faces her own grief. The narrative explores Adannaya's psychological distress and Nwakibe's determined search, which intersects with Mr. Writer/Johnson, a writer who offers cryptic advice, and Ahumaraeze, a diviner knowledgeable in Igbo traditions. Their interactions lead Nwakibe on a path of conflict and self-reflection, resulting in unexpected revelations.[5][2]