The Lion and the Jewel, directed by Lola Taiwo, is a vibrant clash of tradition and modernity set in rural Nigeria. Through the rivalry between Baroka, the cunning village chief, and Lakunle, a Westernized schoolteacher, the play explores themes of cultural identity, gender dynamics, and power. Sidi, the beautiful “Jewel,” navigates their competing visions with wit and agency, challenging assumptions about progress and patriarchy. Rich in Yoruba performance traditions - dance, mime, and music - the play critiques colonial influence while celebrating indigenous resilience, ultimately suggesting that true empowerment lies in understanding, not erasing, one’s cultural roots.

Nobel Literary Prize recipient Wole Soyinka’s play fuses biting satire with vivid folklore and pageantry, capturing the tension between tradition and modernity through unforgettable characters and humour.