This anthology of plays by Tess Onwueme, one of the bright new literary artists in contemporary drama, allows a glimpse into the lives of the people of Onwueme's native Nigeria and reveals the range and beauty of Nigerian culture. At the same time, Three Plays sheds light on the reality of the human condition and the conflicts that arise between the individual and society.

Three Plays: The Broken Calabash/Parables for a Season/the Reign of Wazobia (African American Life Series)

Literature & Fiction

Onwueme, Osonye Tess

Onwueme, Tess Akaeke

Dramas & Plays

Wayne State Univ Pr

Using the magic of movement, dance, and drama, and the devices of humor and metaphor, Osonye Tess Onwueme has created a post-feminist epic drama that transcends current feminist theories. An ideologically and politically powerful work, Tell It to Women offers a critical discourse on the western feminist movement from an African traditional perspective, focusing attention on the often silenced issues of intra-gender politics and class inequities.

Tell It to Women: An Epic Drama for Women (African American Life)

Wayne State University Press

Renowned playwright Osonye Tess Onwueme's powerful new drama illuminates the effect of national and global oil politics on the lives of impoverished rural Nigerians. What Mama Said is set in the metaphorical state of Sufferland, whose people are starving and routinely exploited and terrorized by corrupt government officials and multinational oil companies-that is, until a voice erupts and moves the wounded women and youths to rise up and demand justice.
Onwueme's powerful characters and vibrant, emotionally charged scenes bring to life a turbulent movement for change and challenge to tradition. Aggrieved youths and militant women-whose husbands and sons work in the refineries or have been slaughtered in the violent struggle-take center stage to "drum" their pain in this drama about revolution. Determined to finally confront the multinational forces that have long humiliated them, Sufferland villagers burn down pipelines and kidnap an oil company director. Tensions peak, and activist leaders are put on trial before a global jury that can no longer ignore the situation. What Mama Said is a moving portrayal of the battle for human rights, dignity, compensation, and the right of a nation's people to control the resources of their own land.

What Mama Said: An Epic Drama (African American Life)

The relegated man and woman of colour have been struggling to enter heaven, but they remain trapped as Sojourner Nkrumah's (the black woman's) "Freedom Train" is stalled at the crossroads of hell, heaven, and earth. Two heroes of the West, now determined to keep out unwelcome guests and terrorists from heaven, pose as the appointed "police" of the universe and block the gateway with their barricades: Aliens Crossing: Watch Out! Visa required for Entry! With the growing impediments, how will the race of colour get the key heaven ? The impasse sparks the Riot in Heaven. "Tess Onwueme's play is a spellbinding theatre work! It is written as if Dr. Onwueme is composing a symphonic work... Along with her other masterwork, The Missing Face [this drama] places Tess Onwueme in the ranks of Wole Sayinka, Athol Fugard, and Derek Walcott." - Woodie King Jr., Producing Director at the New Federal Theatre in New York City In her work, Onwueme has shown daring in her exploration of ideas even if they lead to subjects and themes which may seem taboo. Onwueme is eminently a political dramaist, for power affects every other aspect of society. She explores these themes with dazzling array of images and proverbs. Her drama and theater are a feast of music, mime, proverbs, and story-telling...[thus] Onwueme consolidates her position among the leading dramaist from Africa." - Ngugi wa Thion'g (Erich Maria Remarque Professor in Languages, & Professor of Comparative Literature, New York University.)

Riot in Heaven

African Heritage Pr

Riot in Heaven (Vistaar Publications)

Africana Legacy Pr Inc

Shakara. Dance-hall Queen

African Heritage Press

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Books by Onwueme, Osonye Tess