A mysterious stranger, Odewale, arrives in Kutuje, a grief stricken village engulfed in inter-tribal warfare. He becomes their leader and, after conquering the neighboring enemy, promises to root out the murderer of their slain king, Adetusa, unaware of how close he is to the very answer that carries the curse of his new found kingdom.

The Gods are Not to Blame transposes the legendary tale of Oedipus Rex to African soil at a time of intense inter-tribal warfare.

by Ola RotimiOla Rotimi (1938-2000) was born in Sapele, Nigeria. He became one of Africa’s leading contemporary playwrights as well as prominet theatre director, international visiting professor and doctor of literature. His publications include six full length plays (two of them award-winning) and a number of scholarly articles on theatre and dramaThe production will be staged by Britain’s leading African theatre company, Tiata Fahodzi (Theatre of the  Emancipated) a national touring company exploring the richness and the heritage of theatre sourced from the people living within British African communities. The company returns to Arcola Theatre after the launch of the hugely succesful Tiata Delights last year.