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StoneCrabs Theatre Company and the Albany
A new play by Bola Agbaje. Directed by Franko Figueiredo.
Funmi has it all: a career, doting husband and a comfortable life in London… until the day her father dies and his two Nigerian wives arrive in a flurry of designer shoes and polished fingernails to clash over his burial arrangements. Born a Muslim, married a Christian and with new-found Buddhist beliefs, Funmi is forced to confront the past and her own faith to end the war over her father’s body.
This lively new satire by award-wining playwright Bola Agbaje explores how the conflicting traditions and religious tensions of one family reveal an unlikely respect for their Nigerian and British-Nigerian cultures.
Bola Agbaje won the Laurence Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in an affiliated theatre for her first play Gone Too Far, received an Evening Standard Award nomination for most promising playwright in 2008 and has seen her other plays, including Belong and Off The Endz, performed in major theatres across London. The playwright-turned-filmmaker has adapted the screenplay from her first play, Gone Too Far, with a release planned for autumn 2013.
“audacious new satire” - Honour Baynes for Time Out
“Figueiredo’s textured production employs live music, dance, chanting and tableaux in a busy piece that nonetheless successfully entwines ideas of modern and traditional Nigerian culture.” - Honour Baynes for Time Out
"The Burial is a play which takes a rather serious and depressing subject matter and finds the comical aspects of its consequences. StoneCrabs Theatre Company's strong cast have the audience laughing out loud, as well as empathising with cultural and social differences" - David Richards for OneStopArts
"The vibrant production reinforces the West African influence through an assortment of singing, chanting, drumming and traditional costumes" - Natalie Gormally for Words of Colour
"True to form, Agbaje delivers an enjoyable and bold story on a sombre subject that is more hit than miss. Her astute writing and ear for dialogue are compelling. The Burial is a crowd pleaser – and there is nothing wrong with that" - Natalie Gormally for Words of Colour
"Soul-search and part family comedy, and is without a doubt an engaging adventure from start to finish." - everythingtheatre
"A well-produced and unique production by an acclaimed writer in a great space – you can’t go wrong!" - everythingtheatre
"Fantastic, polished design and an excellent script with a great balance of drama and comed" - everythingtheatre
The Burial was presented as a co-production The Albany Theatre from 2 - 11 May 2013
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