What Mama Said: An Epic Drama

CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY

CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY Please note that a number of the fictional characters in this play are named after rivers or bodies of water, both big and small. While the smaller waters act as youths, evolving and changing roles, the bigger ones remain fairly constant , even in their dynamic change of courses. Note, too, that when the lead actors are not engaged in specific roles, they join the rest of the restless crowd as youths. Though some individual characters might play significantly important or dominant roles, the drama is not specifically about them. Rather, like the swift currents of water that defy limiting boundaries (or “arrests”!), these Promethean characters both embody and project the dynamic change or movement that transforms the life and consciousness of a people, hanging on the cliff of existence and power. In the enduring legacy of their British colonial heritage, the indigenous language, which the local inhabitants would normally speak, has been translated into standard English language. However, as it does occur in real life situations in postcolonial Nigeria today, these characters frequently ease into the more popular Pidgin, as well as the indigenous language, either in the more informal or familiar contexts, or as a way of signalling social class inequality and difference in specific contexts. Imo: The 27-year-old niece of Pipeline is an unemployed schoolteacher, who grows into a militant force in the people ’s movement. Oshimi: She’s a 45-year-old widow and leader of the market women. With her unemployed, restless children and militant youths, she takes strides in leading her people’s struggle for change. Cross River: With her friend Oshimi and the militant youths, the 43year -old widow and mother leads the market women and the people’s struggle. Omi: She’s the 23-year-old rebellious daughter of Oshimi and mistress of the foreign Oil Director (Oceana). Though 19 well educated, she’s unemployed. Worse still, she feels rebuffed by her white master (Oceana) and then grows into the beacon of her people’s revolutionary struggle for change. Hadeja: She’s the 20-year-old unemployed daughter of Oshimi and younger sister of Omi. A good friend of Imo, she works as a Hawker/Seller and plays a leading role in the struggle. Yobe: He is the Government Official. He plays the role of Police Officer One. Pipeline: He is the Traditional Chief, who is in close alliance with Yobe and Oceana. He plays the role of Trial Justice and Businessman. Oceana: He’s the powerful foreign Oil Director and a close ally of both Yobe and Pipeline. Omi is his mistress. He plays the role of General. Bonny: He is an unemployed youth. He plays the role of Police Officer Three, Guard X, Prosecutor, Old Man, and Priest. Ikpoba: Also known as the Bandit-Boy, this young man is Omi’s Lover and Cross River’s son. He takes a job as one of Oceana’s security guards (Guard Y). He plays the role of Police Officer Two, Jobless Man, and Fuel Attendant 20 W H A T M A M A S A I D ...