Professor Wole Soyinka Visits Utopia Theatre
On the 8th February 2025, we had the pleasure of having the great Professor Wole Soyinka visit us at Utopia Theatre’s Creative Hub.
The whole Hub was buzzing with excitement awaiting his arrival and what a great turn out it was! The audience that congregated to meet him included members of the Utopia Theatre community and cast members of our recent production of “Death and The Kings Horseman” – who, like all of us, were eager to meet the world renowned and ‘Nobel Prize for Literature’ winning playwright.
He travelled vast distances, all the way from Abu Dhabi to Sheffield to visit us and watch our take on his playtext masterpiece later that day.
Utopia’s Youth Academy performed a devised dance routine that brought lots of energy to the space and sprinkles of joy that left us with big smiles all round.
After the Youth Academy’s performance Professor Soyinka was presented with a gift- a poem by Sheffield Poet Laureate Danae Wellington.
Professor Wole Soyinka then went on to deliver a question and answer session for the crowd. The much anticipated visit did not disappoint and Professor Soyinka brought about a calming presence, speaking with grace and poise. This was an extremely special visit that will not be forgotten.
Special thanks to Sheffield Theatres for making this visit possible, and to Anthony Robling who carefully encapsulated this special moment in time through his photography.
