SUMMARY
The story, set in 1945, is based on a true incident. A Yoruba King has died, and the great chief Elesin, the King's Horseman, is expected to accompany him to the next world.

In the market, Elesin spies a beautiful young woman, and insists that she becomes his bride before he departs this world. Although she is the prospective daughter-in-law of the Mother of the Market, he can be refused nothing.

The District Officer, Pilkings, and his wife, Jane, are preparing to go to a costume party in honor of the Prince of Wales, dressed in ceremonial egungun/masquerade costumes - unaware of how this shocks the townspeople.

When Pilkings hears that Elesin is intending to "commit death," his solution is to arrest him. Elesin's son, Olunde, who has been studying medicine in England, tries to persuade Pilkings not to interfere in something that is beyond his understanding.  

The ending of the play is powerful, surprising – and not to be revealed here.

WOLE SOYINKA
Born in Nigeria, Wole Soyinka is widely regarded as the country's foremost writer. Over a writing and performance career going back forty-five years, he has produced dozens of plays,  several volumes of poetry, four biographies, two novels, two feature films, an LP album and volumes of original articles in literary and cultural criticism.

In 1986, Soyinka was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, the first African to be so honored. The citation highlights his plays as "great dramas of humanity."

All his plays are outstanding. Death and the King's Horseman is praised frequently as a "masterpiece" and Soyinka’s finest.

The play displays Soyinka's characteristic masterful command of language and dramatic technique. The local cultures which inform this play and the specific action are brilliantly captured in the poetic language, the evocative visuals and the riveting movement.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Co-Production by AfriCan Theatre Ensemble and Artword Theatre
Produced by Modupe Olaugun
Directed by Ron Weihs
Choreographed by Yinka Farinde
This production of Death and the King's Horseman will be the Canadian premiere.

ABOUT THE PLAY
First published 1975
Premiere production directed by Soyinka, University of Ife Theatre, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 1976