“The Mistress of Wholesome”

Terra Kulture has become synonymous with not just being a place to relax, wine and dine, but also with the building and cultivating of a sustainable theatre industry for both the young and old. As is customary, every month Theatre @ Terra presents a stage play with a relatively small cast and crew but make one’s Sunday afternoon totally worth the while.

“The Mistress of Wholesome” a play by American author Jacob Appel, which premiered at the Little Theatre of Alexandria in May 16, 2008,  recounts the story of a cardiologist's wife whose husband's mistress and the social worker vetting her for adopting a child arrive at her home on the same afternoon. While the Nigerian version is totally similar with some Nigerian cultural adaptations, it centers on Moji ‘the mistress’, who surprises Adesuwa, ‘the wife’ of Lakunle, a prominent cardiologist, in their home, while holding her hostage using an antique musket. It is directed by veteran stage actor, Toyin Oshinaike and stars Omoye ‘Brownie’ Uzamere, Evaezi Ogoro and Toju Ejoh.

According to Moji, Lakunle has now fallen back in love with Adesuwa, as the couple has gotten closer in their effort to adopt a baby. Moji is naturally put out by this and wants Adesuwa to convince Lakunle to fall back in love with her so that things can be the same as they were. Adesuwa, who is desperate for a baby, sees Lakunle playing ‘the good and attentive husband’ as the only way that she will ever manage to adopt a child.

While I am not a lover of small cast or even a small stage, there was something about this play that felt totally appropriate. I must hand it to Adesuwa the wife of Lakunle played by Evaezi Ogoro. She was delectable and poise in her mannerism. Remaining calm under pressure and not breaking a sweat even when confronted with the fact that her husband’s mistress was in her house and threatening her, gave me goose pimples.

Omoye ‘Brownie’ Uzamere pulled her weight as well, making us break into laughter with her sudden burst of frustrations as to how to win a man that was never really hers. While these ladies, held their rights as it relates to their roles, they also did a good job of managing the stage excellently (did I mention is was approximately 1hr 15mins, yeah it was).

“The Mistress of Wholesome” is a peculiar kind of story which felt seamlessly adaptable and creative. It is showing all Sundays in November except the 9^th that is November 16, 23, 30, 2014, at the Terra Kulture, Plot 1376 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos at 3:00pm and 6:00pm

From Xplore it earns a 5/10.