The Waiting Room

Wole Oguntokun
Renegade Theatre
Assembly George Square

Four disparate characters have each received a letter summoning them to a meeting. There is a feisty woman who is anxious to catch her flight, a banker, a Lagos streetwise gunman and a young seductress.

The initials at the bottom of the letters make up the word ‘Destiny’ and what follows is a mystery play that has more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie whodunit.

There are four scenes, each one ending in a monologue that one of the characters delivers, with such subjects as the philosophical discussion of the meaning of life to Nigerian folk tales. They appear to be unrelated to the main plot.

The characters find that they are locked in the room and, through flashbacks, we discover more about their lives as the plot slowly reveals their incredulous yet taut story.

It is difficult to know who is telling the truth, as they all appear to be capable of deception and even murder.

The acting is strong and controlled but the ending is pure farce and attempts to put the whole play into perspective.

Written and directed by Wole Oguntokun, this is Nigeria’s first ever appearance at the Fringe and their debut play is intriguing, puzzling and enjoyable.

Reviewer: Robin Strapp

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