Interpreting Soyinka's Comedies for Theatrical Direction

Abstract

Comedy, 'an unserious play' within the human psyche, transforms into a parable in theatre paradoxically serving as a humorous, ridiculing, chastising, lampooning, caustic, corrosive and corrective, didactic and dialectical instrument. In this essay, I will examine core directorial issues and factors involved in interpreting Wole Soyinka's comedies for theatrical direction with a view to providing information to those wishing to direct them.