Review: THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES at Arcola Theatre until 31 May 2025
‘pure delight’ ★★★★★
“Men are like yams, you cut them how you like”. This present-day Nigerian morality tale of sexual politics, is adapted from Lola Shoneyin’s bestselling novel. Directed by Femi Elufowoju jr, he has created a treat of exceptional theatre, heightened and unabashed which cuts to the quick of the story.
The rich man Baba Segi already has three wives and seven children but he’s taken a fancy to university graduate Bolanle. The young woman accepts his proposal much to her mother’s disgust. Now, comes the back story of how each of the first three wives came to marry Baba Segi, his main objectives being to satisfy his lust and to procreate. Each wife in turn is berated by Baba Segi for not getting pregnant, until each eventually conceives, but when Bolanle appears to be barren, Baba Segi wants to take her to the tribal doctor. When the educated Bolandle refuses, he reluctantly decides to take her to the hospital for tests instead.
In the second act the story continues with some quite unexpected findings. If the pride of Baba Segi takes a massive shock, that isn’t the end of it, the woman must also suffer, but with many lessons learnt. This is the traditional Nigeria meeting the new, with the wife’s obsequious behaviour towards their husbands, born out lack of agency, against the independence of Bolanle who can leave whenever she likes. Along the way the story covers many different female sexual experiences from awkward to orgasmic, satisfying to traumatic, with immaculate physicality.
With a mainly female black British audience (on the night I was there) it is a credit to the production that it captures the imagination so well with a true depiction of sex, motherhood, and family hierarchies. The show benefits from many humorous moments with audiences not totally safe from Baba Segi’s lustful eye. With a single look, they are included from time to time, with hilarious results. It is a show to enjoy to its fullest enhanced by the use of Yaruba music and dance with simple instruments and rhythmic movements interspersed throughout. The lack of any set is certainly not missed, as it would just prove to be an intrusion into this fertile show.
The magnificent cast multi-roles with exceptional attention to detail, they are so well drilled, each movement is a depiction which offers clarity of experience without the ‘pretence’ of ‘acting’. Here, a mention to the charming portrayal of the two young sons, a real delight, you could just eat them up. However, don’t wait for this moment, it is brief, and there are so many other moments to enjoy and live in the mind for some time to come. The show is a pure delight.
Arcola Theatre presents
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
Arcola Theatre, 26th April – 31st May
Novel by Lola Shoneyin | Adapted by Rotimi Babatunde | Directed by Femi Elufowoju jr
Femi Elufowoju jr is the founding artistic director of tiata fahodzi, the UK's leading British African heritage contemporary theatre company, and the Elufowoju jr Ensemble.
Cast
Kemi Adekoya, Mofe Akande, Ayan De First, Ayo-Dele Edwards, Usifu Jalloh, Patrice Naiambana, Tania Nwachukwu, Dolapo Oni, Christina Oshunniyi, Diana Yekinni
Photography
Charlie Flint
