Nigerian Play Esther’s Revenge Continues Global Tour Following Off-Broadway Success
- BFW Staff
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The internationally acclaimed Nigerian stage production Esther’s Revenge continues to garner attention across major global theatre circuits, following a successful Off-Broadway run earlier this year in New York City.
Written and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the play is inspired by the true story of Esther Ada Johnson, a Nigerian woman sentenced to death in 1956 for the murder of her colonial lover. Set in the 1950s, Esther’s Revenge offers an experiential, participatory theatre format that invites audience members to serve as jurors in Esther’s case, confronting themes of gender-based violence, colonial injustice, racial inequality, and systemic abuse.
The production earned critical recognition after its showcase at the Brighton Fringe Festival in the UK, where it received the 2023 International Fringe Encore Series Award. This led to a January–February 2024 residency at SoHo Playhouse in New York City, one of the leading Off-Broadway venues in Manhattan.
Prior to its international run, Esther’s Revenge was presented at both the Lagos and Abuja Fringe festivals, where it was used as a case study for creatives seeking to develop work for touring. The play first gained national attention in 2020, when it won the Spirit of the Fringe Award at Lagos Fringe, supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
As part of its international engagements, the Esther’s Revenge team has also led peer-to-peer workshops and co-creative initiatives with theatre professionals abroad. A new collaborative piece developed during their New York residency is expected to be showcased at Lagos Fringe 2024.
The production stars Temitope Omobolanle Atitebi in the lead role, supported by a core team including producer Temitope Sanni, production manager Omotola Ibeh, and arts development specialist Brenda Fashugba. Uphopho, a prominent figure in Nigerian theatre, is known for his work in advancing alternative performance spaces and festival programming across Africa.
For further inquiries, interviews, or press materials, please contact:
Kenneth Uphopho – Writer/Director
📞 +234 803 444 8812 📧 KennethUphopho@gmail.com
Temitope Sanni – Producer
📞 +234 806 245 7198
Get Tickets?
Additional Information- https://linktr.ee/PAWStudiosAfrica
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