PRESS RELEASE: The Only Jealousy of Emer

Nigerian Carnival Ireland is an organisation that supports the cultural integration of Nigerians reland through showcasing Nigerian Culture. Their production of The Only Jealousy of Emer will travel to Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, to present the work of one of Ireland’s best known writers, William Butler Yeats.

Part of the Cuchulain Cycle of five plays written by Yeats about the life and death of the mythic Irish hero Cuchulain; The Only Jealousy of Emer continues Yeats’ experiments with the Japanese Noh as a way of bringing onto the stage demons, ghosts and supernatural events as part of the natural world. Cuchulain has killed his son and in grief attempts to fight the sea. Half drowned, he lies in a state between life and death with his wife Emer and his mistress Eithne watching over him. But is he dead or is something far more sinister about to occur as these two women struggle to revive him?

Yeats approach to mythology, ritual and the supernatural resonates strongly with African culture and the exciting part of staging his plays with a Nigerian cast is that their work as actors naturally utilises their approach to rhythm, movement, song and verse. The production features two well-known Nigerian actors who have lived in Dublin for many years, Deji and Yemi Adenuga, whose appearance will be of great interest in their native Nigeria. The plays Director Ray Yeates (a former Deputy

Artistic Director of The Abbey Theatre) has directed many of Yeats’ plays in Ireland and the U.S. and recently directed this play at Torn Page in New York. In this production, Nigerian and Irish culture combine to create a unique experience.

The Only Jealousy of Emer stars Yemi Adenuga, Deji Adenuga, Oluwayomi Ogunyemi, Penelope

Aniuzu and Deola Gimbiya

The production is supported by Culture Ireland, Dublin City Council and Irish Embassy in Nigeria.

Presented by Nigerian Carnival Ireland   I  Directed by Ray Yeates  I   Produced by Melissa Nolan

Thursday 12th April 2018 7pm – BON Hotel, Abuja

Saturday 14th April 2018 4pm & 7pm – Freedom Park, Lagos

Further information:

Melissa Nolan, melissanolan1@mac.com

Yemi Adenuga,  yemiadenuga@hotmail.com

Notes to the Editor:

Nigerian Carnival Ireland:

NIGERIAN CARNIVAL IRELAND (NCI) is the first of its kind celebration of Nigeria and Nigerians in the Republic of

Ireland, bringing Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria together in the largest such gathering. It is the biggest and most popular mainstream Nigerian outdoor event in Ireland and Europe.   www.nigeriancarnivalireland.net