A rib-cracking stage-play by FC Play House

Saturday nights are always very special, as they almost always represent the times when many people take a break from the hectic schedules that the weekdays subject us to. For sure, there’s the chance to go to the movies, jump on the clubbing ship or serve yourself with a fascinating piece of theatre.

For lovers of the latter – myself included – the place to be was certainly the National Theatre. For close to a month there were posters/banners, short clips and promotional videos of the stage-play ‘You play me, I play you’ on many media spaces. Such a build up to the event could only mean that the show was never going to be a disappointment.

And it wasn’t.

Interest in Ghanaian theatre has been on the rise for sometime now, and Saturday’s stage-play only goes a long way to emphasise the fact that the industry is really growing fast.

‘You play me, I play you’ is a purely satirical theatre that features two tricksters trying to outsmart each other. Originally written by the late Efo Kodjo Mawugbe and directed by Fiifi Coleman, the play fuses craft with rib-cracking drama in its various scenes.

The main cast features two friends who would go any length just to make money – an attitude that means they would end up stepping on each other’s toes.

The title ‘You play me, I play you’ stems from the fact that each of them is always on the look out to find a way to outwit the other.

The play explores the kind of relationship that exists between colleagues who would relegate friendship just to get to their goals and aspirations in life. In the regard greed and selfishness sets in, as they employ various tricks and dubious ways in a bid to get to the top.

If you have read up to this part, then you might be forgiven for thinking this was an all serious play without any hilarious scenes. If you are asking where the comedy part is, wait no further!

Now, imagine being stopped by a policeman who charges you not just for overspeeding and overloading, but also for over-darkness of your skin colour and over-burdening since you talk too much.

Did you also know that houseflies from the Brong Ahafo Region are the most dangerous because they are so fearless that they can enter into any hole? At least that is what ‘You play me, I play you’ tells us to believe. Shout out to the entire city of Berekum and Rashida Black Beauty for this one.

And, how do you relate to grown-up men who wear pampers and behave like babies just to escape from the claws of a troubling, loud-mouthed kenkey seller they owe? The aforementioned friends did exactly that and even more.

The subplot explores some of the dubious ways which certain so-called pastors use to take advantage of their members all in the name of prophecies and deliverance.

There is also the hilarious scene of the awkward newspaper headlines which suggest that Shatta Wale will soon be having a collaboration with Christiana Love, with Asiedu Nketia also rumoured to have quit politics for gymnastics.

Aside its comedy and rib-cracking scenes, the play also makes room for a bit of education on biblical interpretations on generosity and investing in the Lord. It relives the biblical story of how Jesus Christ fed the multitude with just five loafs of bread and two fishes, albeit in purely satirical fashion, while also highlighting the need to have the church also give back to society.

Overall, ‘You play me, I play you’ was a good show and the audience totally loved it, as they were made to laugh off their seats all night. However, the review can’t end without highlighting some of the negatives on the night.

Once again time was a problem. The National Theatre was booked for two shows – 4pm and 8pm. However, both shows did not start on time, especially the 8pm event which led to a late closure. Majority of the audience were also left hanging, as the conclusion of the play was not befitting of such wonderful show. It certainly could have been better than it ended.

That said, the production has done no harm to their name and brand. I’m sure many people had never heard of FC Play House prior to this event, but on the back of such a well-organised theatre, the audiences would certainly be yearning for more from them.

The stage-play 'You play me... @ Emmanuel Ayamga

But if you were part of those who missed ‘You play me, I play you’, then make sure you don’t miss the next one. And oh get your ‘Laugh-o-meter’ on when coming.