Uncle Ebo Whyte's 'Order for Four' Blends Politics and Love in Stage Hit
Celebrated playwright Uncle Ebo Whyte has concluded the run of his latest production, Order for Four, captivating audiences at the National Theatre from November 28 to 30 and December 5 to 7.
The play, a blend of politics, love, hardship, and music, drew inspiration from the playwright’s observations of Ghanaian society. In an exclusive interview with Joy News’ Irene Adubea Aning, Uncle Ebo Whyte revealed the core of his storytelling.
“I think we are all given different talents and different gifts, and that is my gift. My gift is to tell a story,” he explained. “So we can watch the same thing, we can experience the same thing, and my mind will process it differently because of the gift of storytelling that I have. And because I’ve done this since 1974, I’ve learned a few things on how to get the audience engaged and get them sucked into the story.”
Order for Four delved into the complexities of the political landscape and the nuances of interpersonal relationships. Uncle Ebo Whyte noted his fascination with the often-contradictory attitudes towards politics.
“I have always wondered why non-politicians take politics too seriously because my experience is that the politicians don’t take themselves too seriously. Not that they are not serious people, they are very serious people, but it’s a game and they understand that. Unfortunately, those of us whom they are serving do not recognize that it’s a game for them,” he highlighted. “In fact there will be people who will be surprised to find that the politicians are friends. But they are, and they understand that. They understand that the fact that I am NDC and you are MPP doesn’t mean we should be enemies.”
The play also explored the delicate nature of love, with Uncle Ebo Whyte emphasizing the importance of addressing small issues before they escalate. “I’ve always been a student of love. I know how wonderful love is. Unfortunately, I find that we allow little things to come between us and love. If you find a love relationship that has collapsed, it is often not the big thing that killed it. It is small, small things – a temper, a word that was said at the wrong time in the wrong way, an attitude, more than even the affair.”
He added, “So my life goal is hopefully to let people know love can be sweet, less painful. Let’s work at ensuring that our love relationships are rich and can be sustained.”
Uncle Ebo Whyte was full of praise for the cast’s dedication and performance. “The cast have excelled and they have done the very best they can do. The work of an author, you as the director make certain demands of the cast, and when they rise to it and respond to it, you can only give them their due, which is they’ve done well,” he commended.
Looking ahead, Uncle Ebo Whyte announced the upcoming Festival of Plays, a yearly tradition showcasing his works. “I write, direct, and produce four plays every year. And then at the end of the year, I put the four together and then pick two plays from my repertoire, which is over 60 plays. And then we make a festival of six plays. And this year, it begins on the 24th and it will end on the 4th of January. Every day a different play.”
He expressed hope that patrons would consider the tickets as gifts, fostering a shared experience. “I hope that people would even use the tickets as handpicks for their friends, for their staff, for their customers, for their clients because then whenever the person you gave a ticket to remembers a line in the play, he would remember that, oh, you gave me that and I experienced that. So that is what it is.”
The Roverman Loyalty Card, offering 25% discounts and benefits from partner companies, was also highlighted as a way to build community and reward regular attendees. “We’ve been looking for a way of building a community, one, and also rewarding those who come quarter upon quarter upon quarter. So far it’s working, but we’ve done more than that. There are companies that are signing on so that if our patrons turn up they also get some benefit from that. So we’re hoping it will create a big community especially as you are in this festive season,” he explained.
J.B., the music director, underscored the effort involved in the play’s musical interludes. “It’s not easy working with them as individuals and also getting them to do exactly what you want in terms of song choices and delivery. But we have 17 years of experience and we make it work,” he said.
Members of the cast and audience alike shared their positive reflections on Order for Four, praising its entertainment value and insightful messaging. “Roverman plays are fantastic, exciting, and give meaningful lessons about life. I just want to say thank you, Uncle Ebo, for helping this society a lot. May he leave long so that this generation and the next can transform their minds through the advice he passes out from his play,” one audience member appreciated.
With Order for Four, Uncle Ebo Whyte continues to demonstrate his skill in crafting stories that resonate with audiences, blending entertainment with thought-provoking themes.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
