The Dr Of Theatre | By Tunde Busari

Efunsetan, Iya Alakara, Ayoni, Ijewuru, Aina, Jinadu, Ewejoko. These are stage names. And these stage names have one name in common. The name is Isola Ogunsola!

Isola Ogunsola, the Ogun State-born was a theatre art practitioner whose own stage name is Dr I-Show Pepper. He died on December 28, 1992. That is approximately 28 years ago.

Disappointingly, a little is talked about him, despise his verifiable contributions to the growth of make-believe industry in Nigeria. He was one of old generation of artistes who laboured hard and planted the seed, fruit of which is being harvested today.

One tragedy of regular exchanges of punches by the living artistes over associations and factions, is distraction to which they are subjected in initiating enduring schemes which would outlive their generation.

One of the legacies they ought to struggle to build, instead of trading of words, is to institute a programme which will make remembrance of their late colleagues a permanent feature in their industry.

Yes, I-Show Pepper is gone and resting forever, who knows who goes next from this morning? While I’m wishing the living long life and prosperous career, I must, however, not deny them the truth that death is sacrosanct, a debt we all owe our creator. Therefore, it’s not a matter of prayers or curse, we are all returning to dust, only that no one knows the exact hour the cock would crow.

I-Show Pepper’s family too is equally culpable for not blowing the trumpet left behind by their father who made indelible marks as a fine thespian gifted with skills which made theatre much fascinating to many. When he sang, he did with passion and finesse; when he danced, he danced effortlessly with alluring steps and flexibility.

No wonder majority of actors belong to the ‘elite’ class of polygamists. No sane person should blame them for this because they are helpless and can’t afford to run away from that reality. All a actor requires is just a casual wink to one whose heart is already in vibration, in fasting and vigil mode for such opportunity to have the admirable character doing those stunning displays on stage. The rest will be history.

I-Show Pepper had and left wives behind, sadly, two of them-Iya Alakara and lately Ijewuru-have joined him in terrestrial realm. May husband and wives rest peacefully. Olusola domo ayo, ere o, la n fomo ayo o seee.