Prof.Kola Oyewole is a professional actor whose career has lighten up over six decades. In fact The name Kola Oyewo
seems to have been ringing a bell from time immemorial, , his involvement in acting dates back to his
early years in secondary school when he joined the Oba Drama Society in
1961. From there, he moved on to the Oyin Odejobi Theater Group
(1964-1973).
And with a burning desire to reach the zenith of his career, he proceeded to the Ori Olokun Cultural Theater, based at the Institute of Cultural Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University. In the interview with GBENGA OLUMIDE, he said he feels fulfilled because he his making a headway in the career he has chosen to do.
And with a burning desire to reach the zenith of his career, he proceeded to the Ori Olokun Cultural Theater, based at the Institute of Cultural Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University. In the interview with GBENGA OLUMIDE, he said he feels fulfilled because he his making a headway in the career he has chosen to do.
Q=how did
you started your acting career in movie industry?
A-I started with Oyin Adejobi Theatre then in 1964 as a full time actor in January 1964 but before then, I had been involved in theatre practice. There is this uncle of mine, Kunle Olaniyan when we were in Secondary Modern School, during the long vacation, he would just bring boys and girls together and they called us Oba Dramatic Society. At that time, he was a teacher and he would just teach us some plays that he had come across. So during the holidays, he would bring the adaptation of such plays. We would rehearse it and go and more perform in the suburbs, not in secondary schools because we were not bold enough to come to urban areas. We went to the rural areas around Oba. We went to Ekuinde Iye and the small towns around Ilesa, Ekosin, Igbaye, Agbeye and so on during long vacations. So, that gave me the first taste of theatre practice. After my Secondary Modern School in 1963, I seen that Oyin Adejobi Theatre was going to take off as a full time professional theatre. It was called Orokiroya Theatre before then but in January 1964, Oyin Adejobi renamed it Adejobi Theatre and employed boys and girls as full-time and I enroll for the auditioning and I was employed. That was how I started.
When you first start, you cannot just be on top at the beginning. It's like any other profession you start because to turn out a very good production of high standard, you need a lot of money; you need expertise; you will need so many things that you may not be able to afford at first but if you continue , you will improve and rise too, . That is why you sees some low standard productions in the market. Like they say, 'Rome was not built in a day;' you have to start from somewhere. In the past, training facilities were not available; a theatre practitioner in Nigeria used to be a self-made person. During the time of Ogunde and the rest of them, there were no universities offering Theatre Arts courses. It was only Kola Ogunmola who had a taste of University experience, because when they wanted to start the School of Drama at Ibadan, it was Kola Ogunmola's group that was used as a kind of experiment mirror . They were there for one session as artistes in residence; Geoffrey Aswalde was the director then and that was how they started the University of Ibadan Theatre Arts Department. Kola Ogunmola's group was used as an experiment mirror to take off but there were so many other theatre practitioners in those days that had the opportunity. So, that was why I said, like Ogunde used to say, that the Yoruba travelling theatre practitioner is a self-made man. He had no opportunity, unlike in other countries like India, Japan, who, right from the 17th century, had facilities for training actors, dancers and so on but that opportunity was not available in Nigeria. So, the self-made practitioner that the theatre practitioner is, was the norm at that time unlike today when so many universities are giving courses in Theatre Arts industry.
A-I started with Oyin Adejobi Theatre then in 1964 as a full time actor in January 1964 but before then, I had been involved in theatre practice. There is this uncle of mine, Kunle Olaniyan when we were in Secondary Modern School, during the long vacation, he would just bring boys and girls together and they called us Oba Dramatic Society. At that time, he was a teacher and he would just teach us some plays that he had come across. So during the holidays, he would bring the adaptation of such plays. We would rehearse it and go and more perform in the suburbs, not in secondary schools because we were not bold enough to come to urban areas. We went to the rural areas around Oba. We went to Ekuinde Iye and the small towns around Ilesa, Ekosin, Igbaye, Agbeye and so on during long vacations. So, that gave me the first taste of theatre practice. After my Secondary Modern School in 1963, I seen that Oyin Adejobi Theatre was going to take off as a full time professional theatre. It was called Orokiroya Theatre before then but in January 1964, Oyin Adejobi renamed it Adejobi Theatre and employed boys and girls as full-time and I enroll for the auditioning and I was employed. That was how I started.
When you first start, you cannot just be on top at the beginning. It's like any other profession you start because to turn out a very good production of high standard, you need a lot of money; you need expertise; you will need so many things that you may not be able to afford at first but if you continue , you will improve and rise too, . That is why you sees some low standard productions in the market. Like they say, 'Rome was not built in a day;' you have to start from somewhere. In the past, training facilities were not available; a theatre practitioner in Nigeria used to be a self-made person. During the time of Ogunde and the rest of them, there were no universities offering Theatre Arts courses. It was only Kola Ogunmola who had a taste of University experience, because when they wanted to start the School of Drama at Ibadan, it was Kola Ogunmola's group that was used as a kind of experiment mirror . They were there for one session as artistes in residence; Geoffrey Aswalde was the director then and that was how they started the University of Ibadan Theatre Arts Department. Kola Ogunmola's group was used as an experiment mirror to take off but there were so many other theatre practitioners in those days that had the opportunity. So, that was why I said, like Ogunde used to say, that the Yoruba travelling theatre practitioner is a self-made man. He had no opportunity, unlike in other countries like India, Japan, who, right from the 17th century, had facilities for training actors, dancers and so on but that opportunity was not available in Nigeria. So, the self-made practitioner that the theatre practitioner is, was the norm at that time unlike today when so many universities are giving courses in Theatre Arts industry.
Q=Are you fulfilled?
A-I am fulfilled because this is a profession that I started at a tender age; I was 18 years old when I joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre and I had just Secondary Modern School but like I told you initially , I have a Ph.D. I feel fulfilled; I am a Senior Lecturer now in the Theatre Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University and if you want to count actors in Nigeria Nollywood industry today, I think I will be mentioned, that is why I feel fulfilled that the career I have chosen, I'm making a way forward in it.
Q=How do you feel relaxing considering the fact that you combine lecturing with acting together?
A-Ho you see, our job has one thing,that I would call the opportunity for us to relax while working. Even when I lecture, there are times for us to crack jokes especially when we are at rehearsals, we break to crack jokes. For me, that's relaxation. On locations when it is not your turn to be before the camera, we sit together and talk and relax. We talk, we discuss issues that have to do with the arts, issues that have to do with politics and so on; that's the only way to relax while on location. The only time I have to relax fully is the Christmas period. I don't go on any location. I love to be at Oba-Ile in the midst of my people. My sons would bring their wives and children, so I play around with them, also my descendants and my daughters-in-law, my cousins, my friends and we all enjoy our self together. Christmas period is the only time that I have, that I don't think about any other thing. I don't take any appointments at that time.
A-I am fulfilled because this is a profession that I started at a tender age; I was 18 years old when I joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre and I had just Secondary Modern School but like I told you initially , I have a Ph.D. I feel fulfilled; I am a Senior Lecturer now in the Theatre Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University and if you want to count actors in Nigeria Nollywood industry today, I think I will be mentioned, that is why I feel fulfilled that the career I have chosen, I'm making a way forward in it.
Q=How do you feel relaxing considering the fact that you combine lecturing with acting together?
A-Ho you see, our job has one thing,that I would call the opportunity for us to relax while working. Even when I lecture, there are times for us to crack jokes especially when we are at rehearsals, we break to crack jokes. For me, that's relaxation. On locations when it is not your turn to be before the camera, we sit together and talk and relax. We talk, we discuss issues that have to do with the arts, issues that have to do with politics and so on; that's the only way to relax while on location. The only time I have to relax fully is the Christmas period. I don't go on any location. I love to be at Oba-Ile in the midst of my people. My sons would bring their wives and children, so I play around with them, also my descendants and my daughters-in-law, my cousins, my friends and we all enjoy our self together. Christmas period is the only time that I have, that I don't think about any other thing. I don't take any appointments at that time.
Q=How did you cope when actors got next-to-nothing in terms of monetary then?
A-However, it was rather rough then because I remember that when I started in 1964 with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, my salary was three pounds per month and it was regular but because of the interest that I had in it, I continued and after spending nine years with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, I found that I needed to do something about my life. I had two options: either to go and look for a job in another theatre group where I would have enough to feed myself and family or establish a theatre group of my own. But the second option was rather difficult because at that time, if you wanted to establish a theatre group of your own, you would become a polygamist. You would have to marry many wives because that is the only way to retain your female actors and I was not prepared to become a polygamist. So, I was at a dilemma until one day the University of Ife Theatre Group came to perform at Ede town hall and I went there from Osogbo to watch them and I saw their style of performance, Oh! My God, I was impressed. That was the first time I saw a play performed in a round hall. but that was the first time I saw a play performed in the round and it was Kurunmi by Ola Rotimi, directed by Rotimi himself and then one of them, Uncle Gboyega Ajayi, Oyin Adejobi's nephew was among the University of Ife Theatre. He had been with his uncle's theatre but he left to work with Rotimi at Ife. I called him and I asked 'what if I want to become a member of your group?' He told me that the next auditioning would be in June, that was around March, so it was in June, 1973, And I went to Ife at the Ori Olokun Cultural Centre for auditioning and I was employed. And you know, salary became regular and was even better to what it was at Osogbo than.
Q=Do you have any regret about your life being an actor?
A-There is no regret at all though, I didn't have the opportunity to go to school at an early age despite that, I had the opportunity later in my life and I now, I have a Ph.D; so, there is no regret. I have a wife and children that are doing well. I also have descendants. I have a place to go in my place at Oba; there is no regret at all. There is one thing that God gave me and I am very happy about and that is good health. I have never been hospitalize for a day; I am going to be 66 on March 26, God keeps giving me good health to remain stronger.
What are the magic power you are using?
A-I don't have any magic, I do not just know.It's God's grace.Though I used to smoke, I used to drink, I stopped drinking only a few years ago and I used to smoke when I was young but I have just been lucky. I have no peculiar ailment aside asthma and I know how to keep away from dust, and the kitchen when anything is being fried. Since 2003, I have never had attacks, I have thrown away my inhaler since 2003, so, I have good balance health.
A-However, it was rather rough then because I remember that when I started in 1964 with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, my salary was three pounds per month and it was regular but because of the interest that I had in it, I continued and after spending nine years with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, I found that I needed to do something about my life. I had two options: either to go and look for a job in another theatre group where I would have enough to feed myself and family or establish a theatre group of my own. But the second option was rather difficult because at that time, if you wanted to establish a theatre group of your own, you would become a polygamist. You would have to marry many wives because that is the only way to retain your female actors and I was not prepared to become a polygamist. So, I was at a dilemma until one day the University of Ife Theatre Group came to perform at Ede town hall and I went there from Osogbo to watch them and I saw their style of performance, Oh! My God, I was impressed. That was the first time I saw a play performed in a round hall. but that was the first time I saw a play performed in the round and it was Kurunmi by Ola Rotimi, directed by Rotimi himself and then one of them, Uncle Gboyega Ajayi, Oyin Adejobi's nephew was among the University of Ife Theatre. He had been with his uncle's theatre but he left to work with Rotimi at Ife. I called him and I asked 'what if I want to become a member of your group?' He told me that the next auditioning would be in June, that was around March, so it was in June, 1973, And I went to Ife at the Ori Olokun Cultural Centre for auditioning and I was employed. And you know, salary became regular and was even better to what it was at Osogbo than.
Q=Do you have any regret about your life being an actor?
A-There is no regret at all though, I didn't have the opportunity to go to school at an early age despite that, I had the opportunity later in my life and I now, I have a Ph.D; so, there is no regret. I have a wife and children that are doing well. I also have descendants. I have a place to go in my place at Oba; there is no regret at all. There is one thing that God gave me and I am very happy about and that is good health. I have never been hospitalize for a day; I am going to be 66 on March 26, God keeps giving me good health to remain stronger.
What are the magic power you are using?
A-I don't have any magic, I do not just know.It's God's grace.Though I used to smoke, I used to drink, I stopped drinking only a few years ago and I used to smoke when I was young but I have just been lucky. I have no peculiar ailment aside asthma and I know how to keep away from dust, and the kitchen when anything is being fried. Since 2003, I have never had attacks, I have thrown away my inhaler since 2003, so, I have good balance health.
Q=Is there any of your children following your line?
A-Yes, Adeyemi read Theatre Arts; he's in Lagos. He's working with Group Africa an Advertising Company. We graduated together at Ife here in the Dramatic Arts Department and the rest are not into it; one is a banker but at the same time, he is doing some part- time radio coverage and so on. The other one is in London. but he told me that he's now into photography . So, it's in the blood and I'm glad about that.
A-Yes, Adeyemi read Theatre Arts; he's in Lagos. He's working with Group Africa an Advertising Company. We graduated together at Ife here in the Dramatic Arts Department and the rest are not into it; one is a banker but at the same time, he is doing some part- time radio coverage and so on. The other one is in London. but he told me that he's now into photography . So, it's in the blood and I'm glad about that.
Q=Our believed is that every African man is polygamous in nature, even if he the person married to one wife, true of you?
A-Ho even if you are not a public figure like me, women will like
to come surround you, but it is left to the man to take his decisions on what
he really wants to be in life. As an artiste, there are so many women
who show interest. They will say 'we are your fans, we love you, and so
on and so forth.But I always make sure that it does not exceed the sex love, nothing serious, no deep friendship because I want to
maintain a good home. If you want to maintain a good home, you have to
be very careful about your response to women, unless you want
to become irresponsible, and besides I'm a Catholic and I practise my
Catholicism. I'm married to one wife even when I was younger and I want
to retain that. If I married a woman now, what do you think I can do? If
I give birth to a child now, at my age, how old will the child be when I
die? So, I always think of my future and that of my family in doing my
things. That is why I did not establish my own theatre in the first
place because I detest polygamy. In fact, when you see so many of the
plays that we do about having so many wives, it's from the experience of
the author, it's not just from the void and I've learnt a lot from that
and I have seen that there is no point having so many women as
concubines, girlfriends, or even as wives. There is no religion that
does not support one man, one wife, even our traditional African
Religion. There is an Odu Ifa that says (“Okan soso ropoto lobirin dun mo
lowo oko, to ba di meji, owo ade, to ba di meta, a de ta ntule” )If you married to more than one wive, your home will be full or raver jealousy So,
our own tradition, African Traditional Religion supports one man, one
wife because that is the most peaceful thing to do for me.
Q=What difficult have you experience in the film industry?
A-I tried to produce a film of my own in 2000 because a friend of mine came from U.S. and made funds available. He even brought the story and said I should do the project. I tried it and saw That there is no way you can have your money back.That was why I downturn the idea; I've never tried it again. I saw that it takes a lot of time, it also takes a lot of money and if you don't do it full time, there is no way you can have your money back.
Q= how do you naturally do any character you are asked to do?
Q=What difficult have you experience in the film industry?
A-I tried to produce a film of my own in 2000 because a friend of mine came from U.S. and made funds available. He even brought the story and said I should do the project. I tried it and saw That there is no way you can have your money back.That was why I downturn the idea; I've never tried it again. I saw that it takes a lot of time, it also takes a lot of money and if you don't do it full time, there is no way you can have your money back.
Q= how do you naturally do any character you are asked to do?
A-Being a profession, the talent matters, and then talent alone is
not enough, you have to undergo some training, either formal or
informal. I had the opportunity when I was young to have informal
training and then when I grew up, I had the opportunity of formal
training. If I read Theatre Arts up to Ph.D level, I think I should be
versatile in an area of my interest and my area of interest is Acting
and Directing. Those are the two; I've never tried my hands on play
writing or in technical theatre. Acting and Directing are my areas of
specialisation and I concentrate on that too. That brings about my
versatility too, I had formal training, informal training and on-
the-job training and if you do a thing for so long and you don't get a
head way, people don't say you know how to do it; it means you have
dash into it; that it's not your line, you had better changed into
some other things; that is my own belief. The talent is there and I had
the opportunity of developing that talent, first with the Yoruba popular
Travelling Theatre, then with the University Theatre within an academic
environment and then I had the opportunity of formal training, first, a
certificate in Dramatic Art, another Certificate in Yoruba Oral
Literature, then B.A. Dramatic Arts, M.A. Theatre Arts and Ph.D Theatre
Arts. After all these, if I appear on stage or in a film or I direct a
play and they say it's not good, it means I have missed my calling.
Q=Since you started, which has been your most challenging character and the best, to you?
A-When I came to the University of Ife Theatre in 1973, you know with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, the medium of communication was the Yoruba Language, but when I came to the University of Ife Theatre, I was given the role of Odewale in the Gods Are Not To Blame. You know all the experiences of acting are there but the direction, the English Language; how to pronounce some English words correctly and so on. This was a very big challenge to me but I took it up and there has been no other person that has played the role of Odewale longer than I have done. I started playing the role in 1974 up to year 2000 when Ola Rotimi died and it was a great challenge at the beginning but because of the determination to overcome such impediments, I was able to get over it.
Q= People love to know about your background?
A-No problem like I said initially, I'm from Oba-Ile in Olorunda Local Government, my town is just about 10 kilometres from Osogbo. I attended St. Joseph Catholic School at Oba, in Osun State and I read up to Primary 5 at St. Joseph in Oba, before I moved down to Osogbo - St. Benedict Catholic Primary School, then from there to St. James' Secondary Modern School and at Ife, I first had the opportunity of a certificate course in 1977/78 and certificate in Dramatic Arts, later in 1990. I also did certificate in Yoruba Oral Literature and then I went to University of Ibadan for my Masters which I completed in 1998 and then my Ph.D which I defended in March 2005 so lets close this for now to pend it.
A-When I came to the University of Ife Theatre in 1973, you know with Oyin Adejobi Theatre, the medium of communication was the Yoruba Language, but when I came to the University of Ife Theatre, I was given the role of Odewale in the Gods Are Not To Blame. You know all the experiences of acting are there but the direction, the English Language; how to pronounce some English words correctly and so on. This was a very big challenge to me but I took it up and there has been no other person that has played the role of Odewale longer than I have done. I started playing the role in 1974 up to year 2000 when Ola Rotimi died and it was a great challenge at the beginning but because of the determination to overcome such impediments, I was able to get over it.
Q= People love to know about your background?
A-No problem like I said initially, I'm from Oba-Ile in Olorunda Local Government, my town is just about 10 kilometres from Osogbo. I attended St. Joseph Catholic School at Oba, in Osun State and I read up to Primary 5 at St. Joseph in Oba, before I moved down to Osogbo - St. Benedict Catholic Primary School, then from there to St. James' Secondary Modern School and at Ife, I first had the opportunity of a certificate course in 1977/78 and certificate in Dramatic Arts, later in 1990. I also did certificate in Yoruba Oral Literature and then I went to University of Ibadan for my Masters which I completed in 1998 and then my Ph.D which I defended in March 2005 so lets close this for now to pend it.
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