Director- Nnajite Dede
Writers – Ikenna Jude Okpala, Oluwole Talabi and Pemi Agude yi Omokaro
Cast: Victor Rotimi Fakunle, Simi Hassan, Deyemi Okanlawon, Seun Kentebe, Toju Ejoh & Charles Fadipe
Time- 1 hr 45mins
Year- 2015
My very first thought of Colour Me Man, was basically a stage play that was exploring the plight of men as it relates to domestic abuse especially since it was inspired by the play ‘For Coloured Girls” but I pleasantly surprised that its core focus was on what men suffer at the hands of us ladies but on those things that man refuse and I mean refuse to talk about, what is truly happening in their hearts and minds.
I arrived late, supper late as I was pretty much dilly-dallying that it would start early. I missed a whole scene by the time I got there and I just sat in a corner and took in the scene. I must say, the stage looked pretty different from the various plays I had seen at Terra and even though it was a bar scene throughout, there was something vibrant and alive about the setting! Oh… I thought to myself, it is the costumes.
Each character was wearing a particular colour that made him stand out and obviously meant something to the essence of the plot and the overall play. The colours were White, Blue, Red, Yellow, Grey and Black. Each colour, distinct against the other but deep in meaning and relevance to the play.
Like I mentioned, I turned up late so Mr. Grey played by Rotimi Fakunle had already finished with his own issues. Fakunle did a good job and held his own in the production. Mr. Yellow played by Simi Hassan was the character I met, the financially insecure dude who couldn’t get it up because he felt a lady whom he recently met was more financially dependent hit a nerve with some of the things ladies of these days go through and even though we might not be in it for the sex, we can all relate with a dude who isn’t confident in himself because the lady he is with earns more than he does or is richer than himself.
Mr. White, played by Deyemi Okanlawon is one actor I am closely watching in the industry. As a short film actor, turned tv series actor, turned feature film actor, I knew it was a matter of time he will dabble into stage, just didn’t think it would be so soon. Deyemi as the virgin and proud dude searching for the right woman to consummate with did a good job of his role. Felt like he stumbled a bit on the stage and on his lines, but he was quick to gain his composure and carry on with his role a significant difference that separates a feature actor from a stage actor and it was a delight to watch.
Seun Kentebe held down the role of Mr. Blue and seeing Seun up there through nostalgic showed that the producers seemed to leave no stone unturned in getting the best in the business to star in this production. The rich, hardworking, snobbish dude with daddy issues seemed to leave in his own bubble not realizing that his friends where truly not his friends, some with him cause they had something to gain from him and the others with him cause they were out to pick a bone with him further showed that people can literally be aloof of the surrounding they leave in.
Mr. Black, the widower and owner of the bar was played by Toju Ejoh. He was quick to offer his friends advise on mental, physical and health issues whereas he was in need of that same advice for himself. His composure was second to none and his story was one I felt loads of men can relate that is ‘driven by revenge’.
Charles Fadipe was my man of the play (did I mention that all the guys in this production are HOT!!! Yep) He played Mr. Red, anybody who is anybody understand the connotation and meaning of red. Asides been likened to danger, most people have that notion that the devil is red so yeah (fyi, I don’t like the devil). From my various one on ones, I understand Charles did theatre in the UK for a bit so all that was new to him was the audience. The outspoken, loud and obnoxious dude had something that he wasn’t letting out and at the end, under that tough skin was a scared cat who refused to see pass his nose. Asides that he had a serious bone to pick with Mr. Blue which made him commit the most heinous crime known to women. Why is he the man of the play, he carried out that rape role, pretty well, there was silence in the hall, in fact I was disgusted, so it worked.
Colour me Man is based on a series of monologues published on The Naked Convos written by young Nigerian male bloggers and then written for stage by Ikenna Jude Okpala, Oluwole Talabi and Pemi Agude. The dialogue between the cast members, lines and innuendos were thought provoking. Not sure this will make men talk about their troubles, hurts and pain, but it is a truly welcome development. I have mentioned costumes which got me thinking from the beginning, the stage manager also played a fantastic role, Terra Kulture has a pretty small stage, anyone who is able to manager that size well is deserving of our accolades and Deleke Gbolade did a great job.
Now, like I always say, what is a production without a director to make those lines in the script come alive through the cast. The production was directed by Nnajite Dede, who did a wonderful job. Never seen any of her works but if this is a first, then it’s well done and deserves the ovation it received. Not sure how she handled working with 6men, but this felt like it was total professionalism at its peak.
Colour me Man focuses on those things men are afraid to discuss and earns an 8/10 from Xplore.
Did you see “Colour Me Man”? Tell me what you think in the comments section.
