King Baabu'The keenly awaited new play from the Nobel prize-winner. A naked satire on the rule of General Abacha in Nigeria, the play chronicles the debauched rule of General Basha Bash who takes power in a coup and exchanges his general''s uniform for a robe and crown re-christening himself King Baabu. In the manner of Alfred Jarry''s Ubu Roi, Soyinka develops a special childish language for his cast of characters who have names like Potipoo and General Uzi. Weaving together burlesque comedy, theatrical excess and storytelling, King Baabu has already been coined as a pet name for the despot par excellence. We turn Guatu into kingdom, ruled by kings. Nobody complain any more. General Basha Bash is dead. Long Live King Baabu.' |
Common terms and phrases
albino already Army Staff Attorney-General Audit or Sod Baabu Oh Baabu the Bountiful Basha Bash Batwere begin Biibabae broadcast brother camp Central Bank chequebook chicken Chief of Army civilian coming Commander Bhieu Commander-in-Chief Comrade Rout Crowd crown democracy economic sabotage enemy Exit Fatasimu enters Fill the Stomach fly-whisk give goats going golf Guard Guatu Guatuna hands head heir apparent human shield Kabuki kakaki Kali keep Kpoki and Shoki live King Baabu look loyal Maariya Yes madam Marabout mean microwave oven military Ministry Moriya never Nominal and Traditional Officer Operation Fill palace palm wine Potiplan Potiplum Potipoo prisoner Rajinda Rapid Disposal Corps ready rebel Rent and Dope rhinoceros horn Royal Estates Nominal Sankofo Sauna Sauna Bath shit silver bullet soldiers Spokesman Supreme Council talking tell testicles Tutor Tutor-Motivator United Nations waiting weapons winds of wilderness Wole Soyinka women