Azege JamesDenen
Department of Theatre Arts,
College of Education Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria
Email: azegedenen@gmail.com
GSM: +234 8034040999
Abstract
Sam Ukala’s dramaturgy is informed by the theoretical framework of folkism. He sought to create drama which can be collectively referred to as, African drama using African form and content. This development has been in progress from the masters of Nigerian drama notably, J.P Clark, Ola Rotimi, Wole Soyinka among others. Consequently, using Sam Ukala’s plays namely; Akpakaland and Iredi War, the paper recognizes and appreciates Ukala’s effort in propagating the theory of folkism in modern African drama. However, the paper notes some areas of weakness. Thus, using a qualitative approach, the paper dwells on the content analysis and criticism of the theory of folkism by Sam Ukala against the following plays; Akpakaland and IrediWar, based on form and content. The paper x-rays some loopholes in the theory using the laws of aesthetics principles as advanced by Sam Ukala. These laws are analyzed in tandem with the above selected plays as well as African oral performance. The paper finds out that the theory of folkism is effectively utilized in a bid to project African form and content in drama. The paper therefore concludes that, although folkism is effective in realizing its primary objectives, there are notable areas of weaknesses and contradictions. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to further create the African form and content in modern African dramaturgy bearing in mind that the African is a child of two worlds.
