The Lion and the Jewel by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka opened to a surprisingly small audience at the Playhouse last night. It is a drama not short on conflict not only between the protagonists but between progress and tradition, differing views on the role of women, the sexes, and intellect versus cunning. Overriding all that is the issue of status which ultimately drives the story to its conclusion.  The result is a lively piece interspersed with music, dance and mime as a device for providing back story.

Set in Ilujinle, a Yoruba village in Nigeria, it's tells a story of sexual rivalry between the progressive, but arrogant teacher, Lakunle, and the aging village chief, Baroka, the symbol of tradition. The object of their attentions is a simple village girl, Sidi - the jewel of the title. Lakunle, for his part, tries to woe her through a mixture of chivalry, adoration and insult. He sees the traditional polygamous set up as primitive, but his objection to paying a bride price because it is dragging the image of the country down carries no weight with Sidi, who wants the respect that following traditional would bring.

Baroka, the lion, on the other hand has done well following tradition. He takes new wives frequently and has concubines for good measure. He's a man who enjoys pain and takes pleasure in his physical strength. Within his community he is top dog - no matter what people say about him behind his back. His interest in Sidi is stirred when she becomes a local celebrity as a consequence of her photos appearing in a magazine. Thanks to the visit of a photographer from Lagos. The interest this arouses within the village and she imagines in the wider world makes Sidi aware of her own beauty and the added status her fame would convey to whoever she married. Her valuation of her own self worth is consequently raised to the point where she thinks that neither man is good enough for her.

However, the story of pursuit and rejection turns when Baroka complains to his first wife, Sadiku, of impotence.  What follows is a second half full of manipulation, bluff and misunderstanding, which results in the Lion getting winning his jewel - tradition and the existing power relationships prevail.

This is a co-production by Collective Artistes, The Young Vic and Bite:05, Barbican, which has come together under the umbrella of Young Genius and the direction of Chuck Mike. As you might expect from this antecedence it has a strong cast, who all perform with a good deal of energy that keeps you awake and interested in spite of sometimes having to listen hard through Nigerian accents and unfamiliar terms (explained in glossary in the programme). In particular, the four main roles of Lakunle (Anthony Ofoegbu), Sidi (Omonor Imobhio), Baroka (Toyin Oshinaike) and Sadiku (Shola Benjamin) are played convincingly as they in term try to prove their superiority and out manoeuvre the others.

J Walkden 14/09/05